02637-A: Reducing Misdiagnosis of Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia

Grant Status: Closed

Grant Amount: $5,995
Unity Jeffery, VetMB, PhD; Texas A&M University
February 1, 2019 - September 30, 2020

Sponsor(s): Vizsla Club of America Welfare Foundation

Breed(s): Wirehaired Vizsla, Miniature Pinscher, Doberman Pinscher, Finnish Spitz, English Springer Spaniel, Vizsla, Bichon Frise, Miniature Schnauzer, Maltese, Shih Tzu
Research Program Area: Blood Disorders
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Abstract

Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is a common life-threatening disease requiring intensive and expensive therapy. Veterinarians often diagnose IMHA using a saline agglutination test. This test aims to distinguish red cell aggregates induced by antibodies from non-immune-mediated red cell interactions. However, this test can produce up to 20% false positives, thus requiring an improved test.  One reason for the high false positive rate may be the test’s use of a 1:1 ratio of saline to blood, which may not be sufficient to break apart non-immune-mediated red cell interactions. This study will determine if increasing the ratio of saline to blood will reduce false positive results. The results could improve the diagnostic test and prevent misdiagnosis of IMHA and unnecessary immunosuppressive therapy. 

Publication(s)

Sun, P. L., & Jeffery, U. (2020). Effect of dilution of canine blood samples on the specificity of saline agglutination tests for immune-mediated hemolysis. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15945

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