Prognostic value of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and platelet indices in cats with feline panleukopenia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to ascertain the prognostic significance of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet indices during hospital admission in cats with feline panleukopenia (FPV). A prospective observational study was conducted on 24 cats diagnosed with FPV. The results of the study demonstrated a significant decrease in NLR, platelet count (PLT), and platelet concentration (PCT) in the FPV survivor group compared to the control group. Furthermore, these parameters exhibited a notable decline in the FPV non-survivor group when compared to both the control group and the FPV survivor group. In contrast, mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) were significantly elevated in the FPV non-surviving cats compared to the control group. Moreover, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was employed to identify a prognostic cut-off value for predicting the prognosis of cats with FPV. The positive predictive values (PPVs) for survival were determined to be 90 %, 95 %, 85 %, 85 %, 85 %, and 75 %, respectively, using cut-off values of NLR (≤ 0.29), PLT (≤ 202.5 ×10³/µL), PCT (≤ 0.19 %), MPV (≥ 10.3 fL), and PDW (≥ 34.9 %). Based on the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive values obtained from the ROC analysis, it was concluded that the NLR, MPV, and PLT are excellent biomarkers for determining prognosis in cats with FPV. Nevertheless, the PLT level is of greater significance, exhibiting a higher AUC.