Using Crossmatch tests for serological compatibility assessment intra- and interspecific at dogs and cats
Abstract
Introduction: Selecting compatible blood is essential for the safety and efficiency of transfusion therapy both in cats, which can show preformed alloantibodies, and in canines, which usually do not have such antibodies. Correct performing and repeating Crossmatch tests can prevent both immediate and delayed immune reactions caused by sensitization of patients. In the cats’ case, it is called into question solving low availability of sources of compatible blood donors by using canines, if it would be possible dog-cat xenocompatibility. Aims: The aim of this study is to comparatively analyze serological intraspecific and interspecific compatibility on samples of dogs and cats in order to evaluate the possibility of implementing transfusion therapy with canine blood to feline patients. Materials and Methods: There were conducted Crossmatch tests on blood samples (n=42) collected (on EDTA) from dogs (n=36) and from cats (n=6) from the FMV Cluj-Napoca clinics and from a private veterinary clinic. There were performed 156 Crossmatch tests, predominantly through quick technique on smears (Ognean and Cernea, 2011) and in some cases (15%) the method based on separating the plasma and preparing hematies suspension (5%) from the previously washed red blood cells concentrate. Results: Intraspecific compatibility on dogs was predominantly negative. Remarkable is the case of a canine patient on which we registered all 24 Crossmatch major tests high positive intensity (3+), corresponding to a patient with preformed alloantibodies, without a historical therapy with blood products. Regarding the intraspecific compatibility tests, as we had expected, all 30 xenocompatibility dog-cat tests showed high positive reactions, both for major and minor Crossmatch. (3+/4+). Conclusions: The intraspecific evaluations revealed a high level of blood compatibility in the case of dogs unsensitivized through previous blood transfusions, yet without excluding the possibility of some atypical sensitivization for clinical interest. Having all the interspecific tests exclusively highly positive, we can not sustain a probable xenotransfusion.
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