Immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia: A retrospective study of 45 dogs in Budapest, Hungary

Abstract

Introduction: Immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia is an immune-mediated haematological disorder commonly seen in dogs. Autoantibodies are produced against antigens present in the membranes of red blood cells which results in their destruction at a higher rate than normal, thus leading to an often severe anaemic state. The mortality rate of IMHA is high, with recent studies reporting figures of up to 39%. IMHA can be idiopathic or develop secondary to a number of factors including certain infectious diseases. Purpose: The goals of this retrospective study were to describe the clinical features seen in canine IMHA patients, attempt to evaluate possible prognostic indicators and to explore a potential link between IMHA and babesiosis in Hungary. Results: The presence of a poor general state, dehydration and thrombocytopenia at first presentation were all associated with a clinical outcome of death or euthanasia. The clinical features of IMHA seen in dogs in Hungary are largely similar to those reported in the literature from other countries. The group of IMHA patients had a seemingly high prevalence of babesiosis and M. haemocanis infections. A link between IMHA and these pathogens could not be definitively proven based on the data available but these results provide an interesting focus for possible future research.