General hematology Flashcards
What factors are associated with the development of hospital-acquired anemia?
Cumulative phlebotomy >3% total blood volume
Surgery (OR 10)
Deficiencies in what ATP generation pathway lead to hemolytic anemia in dogs and cat? Why?
Anaerobic glycolysis - RBCs lack a mitochondria and rely on anaerobic glycolysis to produce ATP
What is the role of pyruvate kinase in anaerobic glycolysis?
Catalyzes the conversion of phosphoenolpyruvate to pyruvate, thus generating one ATP molecule
How is pyruvate kinase deficiency inherited?
Autosomal recessive - heterozygous dogs show no clinical signs, homozygous affected
Describe the clinical presentation in dogs with pyruvate kinase deficiency
- Chronic, low grade hemolysis rather an an acute presentation
- Icterus is rare, but will present with signs of anemia
Describe the anemia present in dogs with pyruvate kinase deficiency
- Moderate to severe anemia (median HCT 21%)
- Regenerative (high retic counts - average 500,000 to 1,500,000)
- Macrocytic, hypochromic
Why do dogs with pyruvate kinase deficiency have normal to increased PK activity on testing?
The erythrocytes of affected dogs lack the normal, adult R isozyme of PK but have persistence of the M2 isoform normally found in fetal tissue and precursor cells - causes the total RBC PK activity to seem normal
M2 form NOT found in cats - PK activity will be decreased
Erythrocytes in dogs with pyruvate kinase deficiency have increased concentrations of what molecule?
2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG)
What is the function of 2,3-DPG?
Binds to deoxygemoglobin and facilitates oxygen release from hemoglobin
What is the consequence of increased 2,3-DPG in dogs with pyruvate kinase deficiency?
Lower blood oxygen affinity compared to normal dogs - promotes oxygen delivery to the tissues and helps compensate for anemia (decreases clinical signs)
What other organs are affected by pyruvate kinase deficiency?
Liver - hemosiderosis and fibrosis develop due to progressive iron overload
Bone - myelofirbosis and osteosclerosis also likely due to damage from iron overload or chronic EPO stimulation
What is the expected lifespan of dogs with pyruvate kinase deficiency?
1-5 years, typically die of bone marrow or liver failure
What is the role of phosphofructokinase in glycolysis?
Converts fructose-6-phosphate to fructose 1,6-diphosphate
The PFK isoform found in RBCs is found in what other tissue?
Skeletal muscle (M type PFK)
How is PFK deficiency inherited and what breeds are affected?
Autosomal recessive
Usually spaniels (English Springer, Cocker Spaniels, German Spaniels)
What is the 2,3-DPG concentration in dogs with PFK deficiency?
Low - 2,3-DPG is formed after the PFK reaction
What is the consequence of decreased 2,3-DPG in dogs with PFK deficiency?
Increased oxygen affinity for hemoglobin leads to tissue hypoxia => erythropoiesis and reticulocytosis, even if anemia isn’t present
How do dogs with PFK deficiency present?
- Persistent, low grade, compensated anemia with sporadic episodes of intravascular hemolysis and hemoglobinuria, especially with exercise
- Hyperbilirubinemia (always in males, sometimes in females)
What are the clinical signs of an acute hemolytic crisis from PFK deficiency?
Lethargy, weakness, pale or icteric MM, fever
What other clinicopathologic abnormalities may be seen in dogs with PFK deficiency?
Elevated bilirubin, iron, ferritin, ALP, and CK (twice healthy dogs)
Why does a hemolytic crisis occur in dogs with PFK deficiency?
Secondary to hyperventilation-induced alkalemia - due to a lack of 2,3-DPG (the major anion in RBCs), the RBCs are very alkaline-fragile
What is the prognosis of dogs with PFK deficiency?
Can have normal lifespans - avoid strenuous exercise, excitement or high temps that cause hyperventilation and crisis
What genetic mutation can cause methemoglobinemia in cats and dogs?
Cytochrome B5 reductase
What causes methemoglobinemia?
Hemoglobin with a ferric iron (Fe3+) instead of ferrous iron (Fe2+) - ferric iron cannot carry oxygen