A morphometric study of bone marrow megakaryocytes in foals infected with equine infectious anemia virus.
Abstract: Morphometric evaluation of bone marrow core biopsies was used to determine megakaryocyte (MK) numbers and MK size in nine foals with equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV)-induced thrombocytopenia. Both immunocompetent normal foals and foals with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) were used. Platelet counts were made three times weekly following viral infection. Bone marrow core biopsies were taken from the ilium of each foal prior to experimental infection, immediately after the onset of thrombocytopenia, and at necropsy. All foals developed thrombocytopenia by 23 days postinfection. The bone marrow MK density did not change in response to the thrombocytopenia. MK area did not change significantly; however, the MK nuclear area at necropsy was significantly higher than that preinfection. The presence of thrombocytopenia in the SCID foals showed that immune-specific responses were not required for the production of EIAV-induced thrombocytopenia. Furthermore, the lack of a compensatory megakaryocytopoiesis in both SCID and normal foals was consistent with the theory that altered platelet production plays a role in the development of this thrombocytopenia.
Publication Date: 1996-03-01 PubMed ID: 8801716DOI: 10.1177/030098589603300212Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- P.H.S.
Summary
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This study investigates the effects of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) on bone marrow cells called megakaryocytes in foals. It particularly focuses on the changes in the number and size of these cells and how they relate to platelet numbers.
Research Objectives and Methodology
- The primary goal of the research was to better understand the impact of EIAV on foals’ megakaryocytes. These are cells responsible for making platelets, which are vital for blood clotting.
- The scientists examined bone marrow samples from nine foals who were suffering from EIAV-induced thrombocytopenia, a condition characterized by low platelet counts in the blood.
- The researchers compared megakaryocyte counts and sizes from healthy foals, to foals with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), and EIAV-infected foals.
- The team collected bone marrow samples from each foal’s ilium (part of the pelvis) before they were infected with the virus, immediately after they developed thrombocytopenia, and at necropsy.
Key Findings
- All foals tested developed thrombocytopenia within 23 days of viral infection.
- Despite the lower platelet counts observed in the blood, the number of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow did not change in response to thrombocytopenia. This suggests that the virus might affect platelet production.
- The size of the megakaryocytes did not show any significant differences after infection, but their nuclear region (the part of the cell that contains DNA) was notably larger at necropsy compared to before the infection.
Significance of the Study
- This study demonstrated that the presence of EIAV-induced thrombocytopenia does not necessitate an immune response. This was proven by the presence of thrombocytopenia in SCID foals, which have severely compromised immune systems.
- The lack of increase in megakaryocyte production in response to lower platelet counts, observed in both normal and SCID foals, supports the theory that disruption in platelet production plays a role in the development of EIAV-induced thrombocytopenia.
Cite This Article
APA
Wardrop KJ, Baszler TV, Reilich E, Crawford TB.
(1996).
A morphometric study of bone marrow megakaryocytes in foals infected with equine infectious anemia virus.
Vet Pathol, 33(2), 222-227.
https://doi.org/10.1177/030098589603300212 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bone Marrow / pathology
- Cell Count / veterinary
- Cell Size
- Equine Infectious Anemia / pathology
- Female
- Horses
- Megakaryocytes / pathology
- Severe Combined Immunodeficiency / veterinary
- Thrombocytopenia / pathology
- Thrombocytopenia / veterinary
Grant Funding
- R0-HL46651 / NHLBI NIH HHS
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Nunez R, Gomes-Keller MA, Schwarzwald C, Feige K. Assessment of Equine Autoimmune Thrombocytopenia (EAT) by flow cytometry.. BMC Blood Disord 2001;1(1):1.
- Crawford TB, Wardrop KJ, Tornquist SJ, Reilich E, Meyers KM, McGuire TC. A primary production deficit in the thrombocytopenia of equine infectious anemia.. J Virol 1996 Nov;70(11):7842-50.
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