Evaluation of Canine Red-blood-cell-bound IgG, IgM, and C3 by Means of a Combination of ELISA and the Ether-extraction Method

Abstract

A combination of ELISA and the ether-extraction method was used to quantify red-blood-cell-bound (RBC-bound) IgG, IgM, and C3. In clinically healthy dogs, absorbance of RBC-bound IgG was 0.098±0.029, that of IgM was 0.028±0.007, and that of C3 was 0.08±0.031. The combination method we employed was capable of detecting changes in RBC-bound IgG and C3 in a dog made anemic by an injection of phenylhydrazine hydrochloride. Levels of RBC-bound IgG and C3 were higher in 6 of 8 dogs suspected of having immune-mediated hemolytic anemia than those in healthy dogs. Levels of RBC-bound IgG and C3 increased in 2 dogs suspected of being pemphigous as well. In mildly anemic dogs with tumors, however, values of RBC-bound IgG, IgM, and C3 were distributed in the top limits for clinically healthy dogs.