Evaluation of Complete Blood Count Indices (NLR, PLR, MPV/PLT, and PLCRi) in Healthy Dogs, Dogs With Periodontitis, and Dogs With Oropharyngeal Tumors as Potential Biomarkers of Systemic Inflammatory Response

Abstract

The aim of the study was to retrospectively assess complete blood count (CBC) indices of dogs with periodontitis (PD; n = 73) and dogs with oropharyngeal tumors (OT; n = 92) in comparison to CBC indices of healthy dogs (HD; n = 71). Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio, mean platelet volume to platelet ratio, and platelet large cell ratio index (PLCRi) were evaluated as biomarkers of systemic inflammatory response provoked by PD and OT. Results of multivariable polytomous logistic regression analysis indicated no significant associations between CBC indices and PD. Both NLR and PLCRi were significantly higher in dogs with OT when compared to HD and dogs with PD and could, therefore, indicate a tumor-associated systemic inflammatory response. Additional studies of CBC indices, along with other biomarkers of systemic inflammatory response, are recommended to validate them as reliable indicators of clinical disease activity.

Evaluation of leukocyte counts and neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio as predictors of local recurrence of feline injection site sarcoma after curative intent surgery

“…In two further studies focusing on canine mast cell tumour, higher NLR was predictive of higher tumour grade and was correlated with poorer outcome in univariate analysis, although it was not confirmed as an independent prognostic factor for survival in multivariate analysis . Neutrophilia has also been linked with tumour‐associated systemic inflammatory response for different canine malignancies, such as oropharyngeal cancer and acute leukaemia . In a paper evaluating the prevalence of leukocyte populations in healthy, older and tumour‐bearing dogs, the authors reported that tumour‐bearing dogs had a higher number of WBC and a higher percentage of neutrophils .…”

“…29,31 Neutrophilia has also been linked with tumour-associated systemic inflammatory response for different canine malignancies, such as oropharyngeal cancer and acute leukaemia. 24,42 In a paper evaluating the prevalence of leukocyte populations in healthy, older and tumour-bearing dogs, the authors reported that tumour-bearing dogs had a higher number of WBC and a higher percentage of neutrophils. 43 Such findings are consistent with the results in this study.…”

“…Recently, the veterinary literature has reflected growing interest in peripheral blood cell abnormalities as diagnostic and prognostic markers for both neoplastic and inflammatory conditions. A few papers have explored the prevalence of different leukocyte populations and T‐lymphocyte subsets in tumour‐bearing vs healthy dogs . Furthermore, leukocyte counts and ratios have been proposed as diagnostic and prognostic tools for dogs with lymphoma, osteosarcoma, mast cell tumours and STS .…”

“…A few papers have explored the prevalence of different leukocyte populations and T-lymphocyte subsets in tumour-bearing vs healthy dogs. [23][24][25][26] Furthermore, leukocyte counts and ratios have been proposed as diagnostic and prognostic tools for dogs with lymphoma, osteosarcoma, mast cell tumours and STS. [27][28][29][30][31] Yet, the prognostic impact of peripheral leukocyte counts and ratios, including NLR, has not been assessed in feline medicine.…”

Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio, Platelet/Lymphocyte Ratio, and Mean Platelet Volume for Detection of Resectable Pancreas Cancer

“…Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mean platelet volume (MPV) are the most used in the literature [4][5][6]. Elevated NLR has reportedly been associated with poor survival following resection or chemotherapy in a variety of cancer.…”