Comparative serological investigation between cat and tiger blood for transfusion

NONDOMESTIC FELID ABC BLOOD PHENOTYPING, GENOTYPING, AND CROSSMATCHING

Based upon previous clinical experience with domestic cats (Felis catus), the ability to assess ABC blood types and blood (in-)compatibilities of nondomestic felids, and adequately consider and plan for blood transfusions, may be important. Although nondomestic felids appear to have an ABC blood group system similar to domestic cats, typing with point-of-care kits and by CMAH genotyping for domestic cats have not been reported. In this study, 162 blood samples from 18 different nondomestic felid species (cheetah [Acinonyx jubatus, n = 42], lion [Panthera leo, n = 33], tiger [Panthera tigris, n = 23], Canada lynx [Lynx canadensis, n = 11], snow leopard [Uncia uncia, n = 10], puma [Puma concolor, n = 7], clouded leopard [Neofelis nebulosa, n = 6], serval [Leptailurus serval, n = 5], jaguar [Panthera onca, n = 5], fishing cat [Prionailurus viverrinus, n = 4], Pallas cat [Felis manul, n = 3], bobcat [Lynx rufus, n = 3], ocelot [Leopardus pardalis, n = 3], black footed cat [Felis nigripes, n = 2], leopard [Panthera pardus, n = 2], African wildcat [Felis lybica, n = 1], caracal [Caracal caracal, n = 1], and sand cat [Felis margarita, n = 1]) were ABC blood typed by laboratory and point-of-care tests, genotyped for four known CMAH variants for type B and type C (AB) phenotypes, and crossmatched with one another and domestic type A cats. Traditional tube typing identified blood type A (n = 106), type B (n = 8), type C (n = 43), and no discernible ABC type (n = 4). Several discrepancies were found between point-of-care and traditional typing test results. None of the tested felids possessed the four CMAH variants responsible for type B and C (AB) in domestic cats. Crossmatch incompatibilities (≥2+ agglutination) were identified within and between nondomestic felid species and beyond ABC incompatibilities. Of 26 crossmatches performed between domestic cats and various nondomestic felids, only 7 (27%) were compatible. In conclusion, point-of-care typing kits and CMAH genotyping, successfully used in domestic cats, may not identify the correct ABC blood type in nondomestic felids. Prior crossmatching is recommended to increase the likelihood of compatible transfusions between any nondomestic felids.

Wild Felids Blood Group System

Wild felids and domestic cats share the AB blood group. However, there have been few studies regarding the characterization and prevalence of the different blood types in wild animals. The erythrocyte membrane glycolipids of the wild cats correspond to the major disialoganglioside patterns observed in domestic cats. Like in domestic cats, type A blood seems to be the most common, although wild felid species seem to exhibit one single blood type. Of the species studied, the wild domestic cats, and the Panthera and ocelot lineages, all had type A blood; the Puma lineage showed almost exclusively type B blood. The prevalence of wild felids blood types show that there seems to be variation between species, but not within species, and no evidence of geographical variation has yet been found, showing apparently no genetic variability. The presence of alloantibodies has also been demonstrated, so the risk of life-threatening transfusion reactions due to mismatched transfusions and neonatal isoerythrolysis is a possibility. Like in other species, the recognition of wild felids blood groups is clinically relevant, as it can also be important in establishing phylogenetic relationships within the Felidae family. We will review the current knowledge on this topic and give insights into the wild felids blood groups potential for zoo transfusion medicine and phylogenetic studies in order to help support reintroduction projects and to preserve genetic diversity.