Comparative serological investigation between cat and tiger blood for transfusion

Abstract

Evidence suggests that non-domesticated felids inherited the same AB-erythrocyte antigens as domestic cats. To study the possible compatibility of tiger blood with that of other endangered felidae, blood samples from captive tigers and domestic cats were subjected to an in vitro study. The objectives of this study were to (1) identify whether the captive tigers had blood type AB and (2) determine the compatibility between the blood of captive tigers and that of domestic cats with a similar blood type. The anti-coagulated blood with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid of 30 tigers was examined to determine blood type, and a crossmatching test was performed between tiger and cat blood. All 30 tigers had blood type A. Tube agglutination tests using tiger plasma with cat erythrocytes resulted in 100% agglutination (n=30) with type B cat erythrocytes and 76.7% agglutination (n=23) with type A cat erythrocytes. The 80% of major and 60% of minor compatibilities between blood from 10 tigers and 10 domestic cats with blood type A were found to pass compatibility tests. Interestingly, 3/10 of the tigers’ red blood cell samples were fully compatible with all cat plasmas, and 1/10 of the tiger plasma samples were fully compatible with the type A red cells of domestic cats. Although the result of present findings revealed type-A blood group in the surveyed tigers, the reaction of tiger plasma with Type-A red cell from cats suggested a possibility of other blood type in tigers.

Wild Felids Blood Group System

“…On the other hand, incompatible blood crossmatches done across members of different phylogenetic groups indicate the possibility of felid group-specific erythrocyte antigens [ 63 ]. Identical results were found in Thailand [ 6 ]: when performing several crossmatch tests between tiger and domestic cat blood, the authors observed the reaction of tiger plasma with type A blood from cats, suggesting the possibility of another blood type in tigers. Recently, similar results have been found in domestic cats, where after performing 1228 crossmatches with blood from 258 type A cats, seven new naturally occurring alloantibodies outside the AB blood group system were identified [ 67 ].…”

“…Blood transfusions can be life-saving when required [ 5 ]. In wild felids medicine, there are common problems like run overs, parasitism, blood loss, and hypotension associated with surgical procedures, where a blood transfusion can be a life-saving procedure [ 6 , 7 ]. Reports of blood transfusions in species other than dogs and cats are very scarce in the literature, even more so in regard to wild felids [ 6 ].…”

“…In wild felids medicine, there are common problems like run overs, parasitism, blood loss, and hypotension associated with surgical procedures, where a blood transfusion can be a life-saving procedure [ 6 , 7 ]. Reports of blood transfusions in species other than dogs and cats are very scarce in the literature, even more so in regard to wild felids [ 6 ]. In order to perform a blood transfusion in a safe manner, there is a need for knowledge of feline blood groups; however, blood groups remain mostly unstudied or unknown for wild felids [ 5 , 6 ].…”

“…Reports of blood transfusions in species other than dogs and cats are very scarce in the literature, even more so in regard to wild felids [ 6 ]. In order to perform a blood transfusion in a safe manner, there is a need for knowledge of feline blood groups; however, blood groups remain mostly unstudied or unknown for wild felids [ 5 , 6 ]. Mismatched transfusions can produce immune reactions that result in red blood cells hemolysis and recipient death; blood typing and crossmatching ensure compatible and effective transfusions [ 8 , 9 ].…”

Controversies Regarding Compatibility in Xenotransfusion With Blood From Dog to Cat (Review)

“…None of the feline patients considered in these case reports exhibited any acute reactions after the first transfusions, leading the authors to believe that cats have no natural occurring alloantibodies against canine erythrocyte antigens (Kerr, 2002). The study from 2016 however although in both of the cases there were no initial post transfusion reactions, concluded that because of the minor crossmatch tests (Thengchaisri et al, 2017), which are positive in some cases, certain felines do have natural occurring alloantibodies against dog's RBCs.…”