Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Flow cytometric detection of platelet-bound antibody in three horses with immune-mediated thrombocytopenia.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 2004
- Authors:
- McGurrin, M Kimberley J et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Studies · Canada
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In this study, three horses were diagnosed with immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMT), a condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the platelets, leading to a low platelet count. The researchers used a special test to check for antibodies on the platelets and found that these horses had a higher percentage of antibody-bound platelets compared to healthy horses and those with colic. After ruling out other possible causes for their low platelet counts, the horses were treated with medications, including glucocorticoids and azathioprine, which helped their condition improve over time. Overall, the treatment was effective in resolving the low platelet counts in these horses.
Abstract
Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMT) is a sporadic cause of thrombocytopenia in horses for which it is difficult to establish a definitive diagnosis. In this report, we describe 3 horses with severe thrombocytopenia in which flow cytometric analysis of platelets for surface-bound IgG was used in an attempt to substantiate a provisional diagnosis of IMT. A distinct proportion (4.28%, 5.04%, and 7.95%) of platelets with surface-bound IgG was detected in the 3 thrombocytopenic horses, but not in 6 healthy horses (0.03% to 0.15%) or 6 horses with colic (0.00% to 1.21%). These results, in conjunction with elimination of other potential causes of the thrombocytopenia, established a diagnosis of IMT. The horses were treated with glucocorticoids alone or in combination with azathioprine, and the thrombocytopenia gradually resolved. Flow cytometric detection of platelet-bound IgG was readily performed and may be a useful adjunct for the diagnosis of IMT.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14710882/