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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Storage-related artefacts in equine blood result in a pseudo...
Equine veterinary journal2024; 57(4); 1074-1086; doi: 10.1111/evj.14455

Storage-related artefacts in equine blood result in a pseudo-inflammatory leukogram.

Abstract: To minimise storage-related artefacts, EDTA-anticoagulated whole blood should be evaluated promptly or refrigerated, a challenge in ambulatory practice. The effects of suboptimal blood storage on equine leukocyte parameters are not well-documented. Objective: Document changes in leukocyte number, automated and manual differential counts, and morphology in equine blood stored at four temperatures for up to 5 days. Methods: In vitro experimental. Methods: EDTA-anticoagulated whole blood from 13 horses was stored in a refrigerator (4°C), cooler with icepacks (3°C-19°C), room temperature (22°C), or incubator (37°C). Automated analyses were performed using an ADVIA 120 at 0, 8, 24, 48, and 120 h. Leukocyte integrity and morphology were evaluated on blood smears prepared at 0, 2, 4, 12, 24, 48, and 120 h. Results: Automated leukocyte count was stable up to 24 h in samples stored in the refrigerator, cooler, and at room temperature, but decreased after 48 h in samples stored in the cooler (p < 0.01) or at room temperature (p < 0.05). Pseudo-neutropenia occurred in some samples within 24 h. Storage-dependent increases in cell swelling, ruptured cells, hypolobulated neutrophils, and cytoplasmic vacuolation were observed in samples stored at each condition but appeared later in samples stored under refrigeration. In samples stored at 37°C, the percentage of pyknotic cells increased by 4 h and WBC concentration decreased by 8 h. Conclusions: The small study population consisted only of clinically healthy horses. The four static temperature conditions do not capture the full spectrum of potential conditions encountered in the field. Conclusions: In most conditions, leukocyte counts decreased by 48 h, but remained within reference intervals in blood stored up to 120 h. Storage-related leukocyte changes in blood stored under conditions mimicking ambulatory practice resulted in a pseudo-inflammatory leukogram, which could alter interpretation and patient management.
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Publication Date: 2024-12-29 PubMed ID: 40464539DOI: 10.1111/evj.14455Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This study investigates how storing horse blood samples under different temperatures and conditions can affect the behavior and count of white blood cells (leukocytes), leading to potentially misleading test results known as a pseudo-inflammatory leukogram.

Objective and Methodology

  • The chief objective of this research was to document the changes in the number, differential counts, and morphology of leukocytes in horse blood stored at four temperatures – in a refrigerator at 4°C, cooler with ice packs fluctuating between 3°C and 19°C, room temperature at 22°C, and an incubator at 37°C – over a period of up to 5 days.
  • The study was an in vitro experiment where blood samples were collected from 13 healthy horses and anticoagulated with Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), a substance used to prevent blood clots in test tube.
  • Automated analyses of the samples were performed at specific time intervals, and the integrity and morphology of the leukocytes were evaluated using blood smears taken at scheduled periods.

Results

  • The study found that automated leukocyte count remained stable up to 24 hours in samples stored in the refrigerator, cooler, and at room temperature, but decreased after 48 hours in samples stored in the cooler and at room temperature.
  • The research detected pseudo-neutropenia, a condition of abnormally low neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) in some samples within 24 hours.
  • The study also observed storage-related cell changes such as cell swelling, ruptured cells, hypolobulated neutrophils, and cytoplasmic vacuolation in samples stored under each condition, though these changes were somewhat delayed in refrigerated samples.
  • In samples stored at 37°C, there was a considerable increase in pyknotic cells (cells undergoing death) by 4 hours and a decrease in white blood cells concentration by 8 hours.

Conclusions

  • This study primarily focused on healthy horses and the four static temperature conditions which do not encapsulate the full spectrum of potential conditions encountered in ambulatory practice.
  • Despite these limitations, it was observed that in most conditions, leukocyte counts decreased by 48 hours but remained within reference intervals in blood stored up to 120 hours.
  • The key takeaway from this study is that storage-related changes to leukocytes in samples stored under varying conditions can result in a pseudo-inflammatory leukogram, which can potentially impact the interpretation of diagnostic tests and influence patient management strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
Parsley AL, Hollingshead NA, Gruber EJ. (2024). Storage-related artefacts in equine blood result in a pseudo-inflammatory leukogram. Equine Vet J, 57(4), 1074-1086. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14455

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 57
Issue: 4
Pages: 1074-1086

Researcher Affiliations

Parsley, Ashley L
  • Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
Hollingshead, Nicholas A
  • Animal Health Diagnostic Center, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.
Gruber, Erika J
  • Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses / blood
  • Leukocyte Count / veterinary
  • Leukocytes / physiology
  • Leukocytes / cytology
  • Artifacts
  • Blood Preservation / veterinary
  • Blood Specimen Collection / veterinary
  • Specimen Handling / veterinary

Grant Funding

  • North Carolina State University

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