Blood Storage Conditions Affect Hematological Analysis in Samples From Healthy Donkeys and Donkeys With Experimentally-Induced Endotoxemia.
Authors: Perez-Ecija Alejandro, Buzon-Cuevas Antonio, Aguilera-Aguilera Raul, Gonzalez-De Cara Carlos A, Mendoza Francisco J
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Blood Storage and Hematological Analysis in Donkeys Preanalytical variables—particularly storage temperature and duration—create significant artifactual changes in equine haematology that can mimic genuine pathology, yet their effects had not been systematically evaluated in donkeys despite this species' common use in warm climates where samples may endure prolonged transport under suboptimal conditions. Researchers collected blood from six healthy Andalusian donkeys and repeated sampling following experimental endotoxaemia induction (lipopolysaccharide infusion), then stored samples at 4°C, 24°C, and 35°C for 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours whilst performing laser-based haematological analysis and blood smear examination. Critically, samples stored at 24°C developed significant neutropenia and morphological changes mimicking endotoxaemia within 24 hours in healthy animals, with 35°C storage producing more pronounced artefacts earlier; in contrast, refrigerated samples (4°C) remained stable throughout. In endotoxaemic animals, warming storage further exacerbated existing leukopenia and neutropenia over 48 hours, substantially complicating diagnostic interpretation. These findings necessitate a departure from equine protocols: donkey samples require refrigeration at 4°C rather than room temperature, blood smears stored >24 hours demand cautious interpretation, and samples exposed to 35°C conditions risk producing misleading cytological findings that could prompt inappropriate clinical decisions.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Store donkey blood samples at 4°C rather than 24°C to prevent artifactual changes that mimic endotoxemia and could lead to dangerous misdiagnosis
- •Be cautious interpreting blood smears from donkey samples stored longer than 24 hours, especially if stored at room or warmer temperatures—consider recollection if clinical suspicion of endotoxemia exists
- •In remote or warm-climate settings where samples travel long distances, refrigeration during transport is critical to prevent false positive findings that would trigger unnecessary treatment
Key Findings
- •Storage at 24°C caused significant neutropenia after 48 hours and morphological changes mimicking endotoxemia by 24 hours in healthy donkey blood samples
- •Storage at 35°C produced more profound and earlier artifactual variations than 24°C conditions
- •Storage at 4°C prevented significant changes in hematological parameters over the 48-hour period
- •Prolonged storage at 24-35°C accentuated pre-existing leukopenia and neutropenia in endotoxemic samples, risking misinterpretation