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Veterinary clinical pathology2024; 54(1); 24-34; doi: 10.1111/vcp.13404

A clinical and hematologic approach to basophilia in dogs, cats, and horses.

Abstract: Basophils are the rarest blood leukocyte in most healthy domestic mammals and the clinical significance of basophilia is poorly understood. Objective: To empirically determine magnitude thresholds for basophilia, identify its hematologic correlates, and identify associations between breeds, specific diseases, disease categories, organ systems, and basophilia in dogs, cats, and horses. Methods: CBCs and clinical information from dogs, cats, and horses were collected from the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine between 2000 and 2020. Relationships between basophil concentration and other CBC parameters were evaluated by computing Pearson's correlation (r). Magnitude thresholds for basophilia (ie, mild, moderate, severe) were determined by evaluating the distribution of basophil counts for each species. For severe cases of basophilia, the clinical diagnoses were categorized by the organ system affected and the underlying pathomechanism. Basophilia groups were compared to a time-matched, randomly selected control group, and chi-square analyses were performed to evaluate associations with disease. Results: A total of 143 841 (dog), 32 576 (cat), and 44 887 (horse) CBCs were collected. For all three species, basophilia was over-represented in some breeds. Basophilia was associated with respiratory disease in both dogs and cats. In dogs, lymphoma and mast cell neoplasia were associated with basophilia. In horses, an increased incidence of basophilia was not associated with any disease category or organ system. Conclusions: This is the largest study evaluating the hematologic correlations and disease associations with basophilia in dogs, cats, and horses. While basophilia was reported alongside many diseases, certain associations may aid clinicians in narrowing down underlying causes.
© 2024 The Author(s). Veterinary Clinical Pathology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology.
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Publication Date: 2024-12-01 PubMed ID: 39617948PubMed Central: PMC12009785DOI: 10.1111/vcp.13404Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This study analyzed blood test data from dogs, cats, and horses to better understand the significance of basophilia, a rare increase in basophil white blood cells, and its relationship to various diseases and breeds.

Background

  • Basophils are a type of white blood cell that are very rare in healthy domestic mammals like dogs, cats, and horses.
  • The clinical importance of having elevated basophil levels, or basophilia, is not well understood in veterinary medicine.

Objectives

  • Determine clear thresholds for what constitutes mild, moderate, and severe basophilia in dogs, cats, and horses.
  • Identify correlations between basophil counts and other hematologic (blood) parameters.
  • Explore associations between basophilia and specific breeds, diseases, categories of disease, and affected organ systems.

Methods

  • Data Collection:
    • Complete blood counts (CBCs) and clinical information were collected from the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
    • Data covered a 20-year range from 2000 to 2020.
    • Included a large dataset: 143,841 dog CBCs, 32,576 cat CBCs, and 44,887 horse CBCs.
  • Data Analysis:
    • Used Pearson’s correlation coefficient to examine relationships between basophil levels and other blood parameters.
    • Established thresholds for basophilia severity by looking at the distribution of basophil counts in each species.
    • For severe basophilia cases, clinical diagnoses were categorized based on involved organ system and underlying pathological mechanisms.
    • Compared basophilia groups with randomly selected, time-matched control groups using chi-square tests to find disease associations.

Key Findings

  • Breed Associations:
    • Certain dog, cat, and horse breeds had a higher occurrence of basophilia than others, suggesting breed predispositions.
  • Disease Associations in Dogs:
    • Basophilia was significantly associated with respiratory diseases.
    • Lymphoma and mast cell tumors were also linked to elevated basophil counts.
  • Disease Associations in Cats:
    • Basophilia correlated with respiratory diseases as well.
  • Disease Associations in Horses:
    • No clear association was found between basophilia and any specific disease category or organ system.

Conclusions and Clinical Implications

  • This is the largest veterinary study to date investigating hematologic and clinical correlations of basophilia in dogs, cats, and horses.
  • Basophilia is linked to a variety of diseases but specific associations—like with respiratory diseases in dogs and cats and with certain cancers in dogs—may assist veterinarians in diagnosis and treatment decisions.
  • The established basophilia thresholds provide a useful framework for interpreting basophil counts in clinical settings.
  • Understanding breed predispositions can help tailor monitoring and diagnostic efforts toward animals at greater risk.

Cite This Article

APA
Mau A, Keller SM, Kol A. (2024). A clinical and hematologic approach to basophilia in dogs, cats, and horses. Vet Clin Pathol, 54(1), 24-34. https://doi.org/10.1111/vcp.13404

Publication

Veterinary clinical pathology
ISSN: 1939-165X
NlmUniqueID: 9880575
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 54
Issue: 1
Pages: 24-34

Researcher Affiliations

Mau, Alex
  • University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Davis, California, USA.
Keller, S M
  • Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, California, USA.
Kol, Amir
  • Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, California, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Dogs / blood
  • Cats / blood
  • Horses / blood
  • Basophils / pathology
  • Cat Diseases / blood
  • Cat Diseases / pathology
  • Dog Diseases / blood
  • Dog Diseases / pathology
  • Male
  • Horse Diseases / blood
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Female
  • Leukocyte Count / veterinary

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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