Myelophthisic pancytopenia in a pony mare.
Abstract: Myelophthisic pancytopenia was diagnosed in a 10-year-old pony mare with a history of recurring colic and anemia. Physical findings were unremarkable, with the exception of pale mucous membranes. Hematologic analysis revealed nonregenerative pancytopenia. Testing for equine infectious anemia and antiglobulin (Coombs) yielded negative results. The mare was treated with antibiotics, boldenone undecylenate, and corticosteroids, but a regenerative bone marrow response was not seen. Postmortem examination revealed severe myelofibrosis and multiple sites of extramedullary hematopoiesis. Myelophthisic pancytopenia develops when a space-occupying lesion destroys sufficient bone marrow or disturbs marrow architecture, resulting in decreased production capacity. Pancytopenia in the pony of this report resulted from inadequate production of blood cellular components secondary to replacement of the bone marrow by myelofibrosis. Cause of the myelofibrosis was not identified.
Publication Date: 1991-03-15 PubMed ID: 2032911
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Summary
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This research discusses the case of a 10-year-old pony mare that was diagnosed with myelophthisic pancytopenia, a condition characterized by reduced blood cell production due to bone marrow damage. Despite interventions, the mare showed no signs of regeneration and examination after death revealed severe myelofibrosis or bone marrow scarring.
Overview of the Study
- The subject in this research was a 10-year-old pony mare suffering from recurring colic and anemia. An initial physical assessment found the mare to be largely unremarkable, barring pale mucous membranes, a common sign of anemia.
- The team performed a hematologic analysis which revealed a non-regenerative pancytopenia, a condition in which the body stops producing enough red and white blood cells and platelets.
- Tests for equine infectious anemia and antiglobulin (Coombs test) – diseases that could potentially cause pancytopenia – were carried out, but yielded negative results.
Intervention and Results
- The mare was treated with antibiotics, boldenone undecylenate (an anabolic steroid), and corticosteroids, which are typically used to stimulate bone marrow and treat pancytopenia.
- Despite treatment, there was no visible bone marrow regenerative response from the mare.
- A postmortem examination was conducted, revealing severe myelofibrosis – a serious bone marrow disorder that disrupts body’s normal production of blood cells – and multiple sites of extramedullary hematopoiesis, a condition where the body produces blood cells outside of the bone marrow.
Conclusions
- Myelophthisic pancytopenia occurs when a mass occupying the space normally dedicated to the bone marrow results in decreased capacity for blood cell production. The case in this study showed pancytopenia resulting from inadequate production of blood cellular components due to extensive bone marrow replacement by myelofibrosis (formation of fibrous tissue in the bone marrow).
- The research team was unable to identify the cause of the myelofibrosis, indicating a possible area for future research and studies.
Cite This Article
APA
Angel KL, Spano JS, Schumacher J, Kwapien RP.
(1991).
Myelophthisic pancytopenia in a pony mare.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 198(6), 1039-1042.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Surgery and Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL 36849-5522.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bone Marrow / pathology
- Female
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horses
- Pancytopenia / blood
- Pancytopenia / veterinary
- Primary Myelofibrosis / pathology
- Primary Myelofibrosis / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Muñoz A, Riber C, Trigo P, Castejón F. Hematopoietic neoplasias in horses: myeloproliferative and lymphoproliferative disorders. J Equine Sci 2009;20(4):59-72.
- Ammann VJ, Fecteau G, Hélie P, Desnoyer M, Hébert P, Babkine M. Pancytopenia associated with bone marrow aplasia in a Holstein heifer. Can Vet J 1996 Aug;37(8):493-5.
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