[Disseminated intravascular coagulation in eperythrozoonosis of swine]

Investigations were carried out on the influence of latent and clinically manifest Eperythrozoon suis infection upon haemostasis in swine. The study was carried out with 14 German Landrace pigs. Latent eperythrozoonosis was induced in 7 animals by experimental infection. Splenectomy of these 7 animals and 2 spontaneously infected pigs led to clinical manifestation of eperythrozoonosis. Five clinically healthy pigs were splenectomized and served as controls. In healthy pigs splenectomy was followed by a transient rise in fibrinogen and platelet count. Latent infection with Eperythrozoon suis did not cause an impairment of haemostasis. Acute eperythrozoonosis was associated with increased haemorrhagic tendency considered to be a consequence of intravascular coagulation and subsequent consumption coagulopathy. There was a prolongation of partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time (Quick) and a decrease of platelet count. Thrombelastography showed prolongation of reaction and clot building time and a short-term decrease of maximum amplitude. Deviation from normal values was proportional to the number of red blood cells infected with Eperythrozoon suis. Anti-rickettsial therapy led to quick normalization of haemostasis. Various aspects of the cause and the consequences of the haemostatic defect are discussed with special regard to the underlying disease.