Características hematológicas de seis espécies de quelônios criados em cativeiro no município de Belém-Pa

Abstract

Hematology is the science dedicated to the study of blood, its origin, and its cellular components, allowing for the evaluation of the physiological, immunological, and metabolic state of the organism, as well as assisting in the diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of various diseases. Among hematological tests, the complete blood count (CBC) is the most frequently requested, as it provides an overview of the animal's overall condition. In wild animals, the evaluation of the blood smear is considered the most important step in performing this test, since it is at this stage that abnormalities in red blood cells, morphological changes in white blood cells, and the presence of cellular inclusions and hemoparasites can be visualized. Considering the scarcity of specific studies and the great morphological variability of blood cells in wild species, microscopic analysis of the blood smear becomes fundamental for the correct interpretation of hematological results. Thus, the objective of this research is to contribute to specific studies focused on the hematology of Testudines found in the Amazon region through photodocumentation of blood smears, complete blood count, and blood gas analysis, in order to provide greater ease in the analysis, identification of cells, and interpretation of the examinations of these animals. The research was carried out by obtaining blood samples from 6 species of Testudines: Chelonoidis carbonaria (red-footed tortoise), Chelonoidis denticulata (yellow-footed tortoise), Podocnemis expansa (Amazonian turtle), Rhinoclemmys punctularia (perema turtle), Podocnemis unifilis (yellow-spotted river turtle), and Kinosternon scorpioides (scorpion turtle), obtained from the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi. Blood smears were performed on all species, without the use of anticoagulants, stained using the Rapid Panoptic® and adapted May-Grünwald-Giemsa techniques, subsequently analyzed and photomicrographed. Complete blood counts and blood gas analyses were performed on the species Jabuti-Tinga, Jabuti-Piranga, and Amazon River Turtle. Complete blood counts were sent to a partner laboratory, and blood gas analyses were performed locally by venipuncture using the Seamaty Blood Gas & Electrolyte Analyzer - Model VG1. Cell identification demonstrated the efficiency of MayGrunwald-Giemsa staining compared to Panoptic Rapid®, in addition to corroborating and adding relevant information about the morphology of the cellular components of the blood of these animals. The complete blood count and blood gas analysis values found in this study corroborated established literature and added new data about chelonians in the Northern region of Brazil.

Hematology is the science dedicated to the study of blood, its origin, and its cellular components, allowing for the evaluation of the physiological, immunological, and metabolic state of the organism, as well as assisting in the diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of various diseases. Among hematological tests, the complete blood count (CBC) is the most frequently requested, as it provides an overview of the animal's overall condition. In wild animals, the evaluation of the blood smear is considered the most important step in performing this test, since it is at this stage that abnormalities in red blood cells, morphological changes in white blood cells, and the presence of cellular inclusions and hemoparasites can be visualized. Considering the scarcity of specific studies and the great morphological variability of blood cells in wild species, microscopic analysis of the blood smear becomes fundamental for the correct interpretation of hematological results. Thus, the objective of this research is to contribute to specific studies focused on the hematology of Testudines found in the Amazon region through photodocumentation of blood smears, complete blood count, and blood gas analysis, in order to provide greater ease in the analysis, identification of cells, and interpretation of the examinations of these animals. The research was carried out by obtaining blood samples from 6 species of Testudines: Chelonoidis carbonaria (red-footed tortoise), Chelonoidis denticulata (yellow-footed tortoise), Podocnemis expansa (Amazonian turtle), Rhinoclemmys punctularia (perema turtle), Podocnemis unifilis (yellow-spotted river turtle), and Kinosternon scorpioides (scorpion turtle), obtained from the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi. Blood smears were performed on all species, without the use of anticoagulants, stained using the Rapid Panoptic® and adapted May-Grünwald-Giemsa techniques, subsequently analyzed and photomicrographed. Complete blood counts and blood gas analyses were performed on the species Jabuti-Tinga, Jabuti-Piranga, and Amazon River Turtle. Complete blood counts were sent to a partner laboratory, and blood gas analyses were performed locally by venipuncture using the Seamaty Blood Gas & Electrolyte Analyzer - Model VG1. Cell identification demonstrated the efficiency of MayGrunwald-Giemsa staining compared to Panoptic Rapid®, in addition to corroborating and adding relevant information about the morphology of the cellular components of the blood of these animals. The complete blood count and blood gas analysis values found in this study corroborated established literature and added new data about chelonians in the Northern region of Brazil.