Abstract:
The inflammatory response to infection can activate the coagulation system via complex
interactions. If uncontrolled, this may lead to a consumptive coagulopathy, which has been
identified as a major risk factor for poor outcome in both human and canine medicine. This study
was undertaken to prospectively determine whether the presence of a consumptive coagulopathy
in dogs with Babesia rossi infection is related to mortality. A prospective, cross-sectional,
observational study was performed. Seventy-two client-owned dogs diagnosed with canine
babesiosis were included. Diagnosis was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and reverse
line blot and dogs 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 Ddimer
concentrations were measured. The mortality rate was 18% (13/72) and results between
non-survivors and survivors were compared. The median activities of all the coagulation factors
were significantly lower in the non-survivors compared to the survivors. The median PT and
aPTT were significantly longer in the non-survivors compared to the survivors. The median AT
activity was not significantly different; however, the median PC activity was significantly decreased in the non-survivors. The median D-dimer concentration was significantly higher in
the non-survivors compared to the survivors. This study showed that dogs that died from B.canis
infection suffered from a more severe consumptive coagulopathy compared to survivors,
characterized by procoagulant activation, inhibitor consumption, and increased fibrinolytic
activity.
