Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Dal, and DEA 1, 4, 7 blood types, in a population of canine blood donors from Italy and Spain. Three hundred and twenty blood donor dogs receiving an annual health evaluation were included in the study. DEA 1 blood type was determined using an immunochromatographic strip technique while Dal, DEA 4 and 7 blood types were determined with polyclonal antisera using agglutination on gel columns.ResultsOut of 320 dogs blood typed 7 (2 Cane Corso and 5 Doberman Pinschers) (2.2%) were Dal negative; 137 (42.8%) were positive for DEA 1; 320 (100%) were positive for DEA 4 and 43 (13.4%) were positive for DEA 7.ConclusionThis study showed a similar prevalence of DEA 1, 7 and 4 to that reported in previous studies in the same, and in different, geographic areas, and provides new data on the prevalence of the Dal blood group in Italy and Spain. There was no significant difference (P = 0.8409) between prevalence of Dal negative blood types found in our population (2.2%) and the prevalence reported in a canine blood donor population from the USA (2.5%). Our study identified Dal negative dogs in a previously tested breed i.e. Doberman Pinschers, but also the Cane Corso breed was found to have Dal negative dogs.
Highlights
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Dal, and Dog Erythrocyte Antigen (DEA) 1, 4, 7 blood types, in a population of canine blood donors from Italy and Spain
Of the 320 dogs blood typed for DEA 1, 137/320 (42.8%) were positive and 183/320 (57.2%) were negative
Of the 320 dogs blood typed for Dal, 7/320 (2.2%) were Dal negative, 2 Cane Corso and 5 Doberman Pinschers
Summary
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Dal, and DEA 1, 4, 7 blood types, in a population of canine blood donors from Italy and Spain. Blood groups are species-specific genetic markers on the surface of erythrocyte cell membranes which are defined according to antigenic recognition [1]. There are seven internationally recognized blood groups in the Dog Erythrocyte Antigen (DEA) classification (DEA 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) [2] and, since these blood groups are independent, more than one blood group can be coexpressed on the surface of canine red blood cells [3, 4]. DEA 1 blood type is the most clinically important blood group in terms of transfusion reactions. Following the first transfusion with DEA 1 positive RBCs, DEA 1 negative dogs produce anti-DEA 1 antibodies and are at risk of potentially fatal, acute hemolytic reactions when a second DEA 1 mismatched transfusion is administered [10]
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