Parasites & Vectors (Oct 2024)

Clinical significance of blood cell ratios in healthy and sick Leishmania infantum-seropositive dogs

  • Giulia Donato,
  • Marta Baxarias,
  • Laia Solano-Gallego,
  • Icíar Martínez-Flórez,
  • Cristina Mateu,
  • Maria Grazia Pennisi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-024-06522-z
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17, no. 1
pp. 1 – 8

Abstract

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Abstract Background The accuracy of blood cell ratios (BCRs) as cost-effective and easily accessible diagnostic and prognostic markers of inflammatory conditions has been investigated in veterinary medicine in recent years. Methods Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte (MLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR) ratios were studied in 195 dogs clinically evaluated and tested for anti-Leishmania infantum (Li) antibodies (Li-seronegative (Li −), n = 10; Li-seropositive clinically healthy (Li + healthy), n = 100; Li-seropositive with clinical and/or clinicopathological abnormalities (Li + sick), n = 85). The Li + sick dogs were classified in LeishVet stages IIa/IIb (Li + IIa/IIb) (n = 66) and III/IV (Li + III/IV) (n = 19). BCR relationships with LeishVet clinical stage, antibody levels, and serum protein electrophoretic fraction concentrations were investigated. Results Higher NLR values were found in Li +, Li + healthy, and Li + IIa/IIb sick dogs compared to Li − dogs (P < 0.001). Higher NLR and MLR were found in Li + sick (NLR, P < 0.001; MLR, P = 0.034) and Li + III/IV dogs (NLR, P < 0.001; MLR, P = 0.005) compared to Li − dogs, and in Li + III/IV dogs (NLR, P = 0.002; MLR, P < 0.001) compared to Li + healthy. All three BCRs were higher in Li + sick (NLR, MLR, P < 0.001; PLR, P = 0.023) and Li + IIa/IIb dogs (NLR P < 0.001; MLR P = 0.001; PLR, P = 0.012) compared to Li + healthy dogs. The BCRs failed to distinguish dogs with moderate (Li + IIa/IIb) and severe or very severe disease (Li + III/IV). BCRs demonstrated weak positive correlations with serum globulin fractions and antibody levels, and weak negative correlations with serum albumin level were found. Li + sick dogs presenting hypoalbuminemia showed higher MLR ratios (P = 0.001) than those with normal albumin values. Conclusions This study shows that BCR measures provide useful information for differentiating antibody-positive healthy and sick dogs at diagnosis. Dogs with hypoalbuminemia showed higher MLR values despite monocytosis being very rare. Graphical Abstract

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