Erythrocyte phenotyping for feline AB system in domestic cats from the Ilhéus-Itabuna microregion, Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to determine the erythrocyte phenotypes of the feline AB system and to check the presence of antigens other than those present in the feline AB system in domestic cats from Ilhéus-Itabuna microregion, Bahia, Brazil. Three-hundred feline blood samples were collected at the Veterinary Hospital of the “Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz” (UESC) and in home visits to perform blood phenotyping using the tube-method testing. The reverse phenotyping was made between cats that tested phenotype B with blood samples of cats that tested phenotype A to confirm the blood phenotype B. The cross-tested among cats with phenotype A was made in order to verify the presence of different antigens of AB system in this blood phenotype. The results underwent macroscopic and microscopic analyses. Among the 300 animals tested, regarding breed, 290 were mixed-breed cats and among the remaining ten, five were Persians, four Siamese, and one Angora. 297 (99%) presented with phenotype A (including all the breeding cats) and three (1%) with phenotype B, and all this cats were mixed-breed cats. None (0%) of the cats showed the phenotype AB. All phenotype B bloods reacted to reverse phenotyping with phenotype A, confirming the phenotype B of these cats. All phenotype A bloods were compatible among each other, so no further erythrocyte antigens were detected through this test. The mother of one of the phenotype B cats was identified and had phenotype A, demonstrating phenotype A parents with phenotype B offspring. This finding indicates heterozygosis in the studied population. This data enable to conclude that the studied population presented different erythrocyte phenotypes, subsequently highlighting the importance of conducting phenotype analyses in these animals before performing blood transfusion to avoid serious hemolytic complications associated with incompatibility.