Mortality in virulent canine babesiosis is associated with a consumptive coagulopathy

Amelia Goddard, Bo Wiinberg, Johan P. Schoeman, Annemarie Thuri Kristensen, Mads Kjelgaard-Hansen

    19 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The inflammatory response to infection can activate the coagulation system via complex interactions. If uncontrolled, this may lead to a consumptive coagulopathy, a major risk factor for a poor clinical outcome. This prospective observational study was conducted to determine whether consumptive coagulopathy in dogs with Babesia rossi infection is related to mortality. Seventy-two client-owned dogs diagnosed with canine babesiosis were included. Diagnosis was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and reverse line blot and dogs co-infected with Babesia vogeli or Ehrlichia canis were excluded. Blood samples were collected at admission. Coagulation factor-, antithrombin (AT)-, and protein C (PC)-activity, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), fibrinogen and D-dimer concentrations were measured.The mortality rate was 18% (13/72 dogs) and the median activities of all the coagulation factors were significantly lower in the non-survivors compared to the survivors. Median PT and aPTT were significantly longer in the non-survivors compared to the survivors. Median AT activity was not significantly different but median PC activity was significantly decreased in the non-survivors. Median D-dimer concentrations were significantly higher in non-survivors compared to survivors. This study showed that dogs that died from B. rossi infection had a more severe consumptive coagulopathy compared to survivors, characterized by procoagulant activation, inhibitor consumption, and increased fibrinolytic activity.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalVeterinary Journal
    Volume196
    Issue number2
    Pages (from-to)213-217
    Number of pages5
    ISSN1090-0233
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - May 2013

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