Evaluation of post-transfusion RBC alloimmunization in dogs using a gel-column crossmatch with and without anti-canine globulin enhancement.

A blood crossmatch is essential to ensure RBC compatibility for previously transfused dogs. There is no gold standard crossmatch method for dogs, although the standards used most commonly by academic institutions and reference laboratories are the tube and gel-column crossmatches. Addition of anti-canine globulin (ACG) has been suggested to increase detection of RBC incompatibilities.

Effect of donor blood storage on gel column crossmatch in dogs.

Background: Compared with fresh blood, stored equine donor blood results in spurious tube crossmatch incompatibilities. Interpretation of blood crossmatch results is considered subjective.

Objectives: We aimed to determine if the duration of canine donor blood storage impacts compatibility testing using a standard gel column crossmatch and evaluate interobserver variation in the interpretation of crossmatch results.

Hemolytic anemia blunts the cytokine response to transfusion of older red blood cells in mice and dogs.

Background: Transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) stored for longer durations induces hemolysis and inflammatory cytokine production in murine and canine models. Despite immune system activation by stored RBCs, human randomized trials suggest that fresher RBC transfusions do not improve clinical outcomes. We hypothesized that underlying recipient hemolysis may affect cytokine responses to older RBC transfusions.

Influence of canine donor plasma hemostatic protein concentration on quality of cryoprecipitate.

Background: Cryoprecipitate (CRYO) is a plasma component containing high concentrations of factor VIII (FVIII), von Willebrand factor (VWF), and fibrinogen. Because Greyhounds are reported to have lower plasma VWF and fibrinogen concentrations, their plasma may not yield high potency CRYO.

Objectives: To determine if plasma hemostatic protein concentration is a good predictor of CRYO potency and if a difference exists in quality of CRYO prepared from Greyhounds versus non-Greyhounds.

Prevalence of naturally occurring non-AB blood type incompatibilities in cats and influence of crossmatch on transfusion outcomes.

Background: Recognition of the feline red blood cell (RBC) antigen Mik and the presence of naturally occurring anti-Mik antibodies resulting in acute hemolytic transfusion reactions prompted the recommendation to perform a crossmatch before a cat's first RBC transfusion, but this guideline has not yet become a standard practice.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of naturally occurring non-AB alloantibodies detectable by tube crossmatch, and to compare transfusion outcomes in cats with and without a crossmatch performed.

Animals: Three hundred cats that received an RBC transfusion, with or without a major crossmatch performed.

Evaluation of the use of shock index in identifying acute blood loss in healthy blood donor dogs.

Objective: To determine if shock index (SI) would increase following blood donation and if it would be a more sensitive assessment of acute blood loss as compared with heart rate (HR), blood pressure, and plasma lactate.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: University teaching hospital.