Applications of Flow Cytometry in Veterinary Research and Small Animal Clinical Practice

Flow cytometry is a rapid, versatile and powerful technique that allows for qualitative and quantitative assessment of multiple parameters of individuals cells and particles. With the flexibility of flow cytometry, and the reliability of results, this technology has become an essential veterinary research instrument with important clinical diagnostic capabilities, particularly in the fields of immunology and hematology. This methodology has played a key role in the discovery of immunological cells and multiple aspects of canine immune function. Flow cytometric techniques have been instrumental in the identification of regulatory T lymphocytes and roles they play in autoimmune diseases, as well as characterizing and measuring cellular products, such as cytokines and other proteins. Flow cytometry has also been used in the pharmacodynamic monitoring of immunosuppressive therapies in dogs. Besides immunological cells, flow cytometry allows for the evaluation of erythrocytes, specifically the quantitation of reticulocytes, detection of anti-erythrocyte antibodies, and diagnose of erythrocyte parasites. Similar techniques can also be applied to canine platelets to diagnose immature reticulated platelets and anti-platelet antibodies. Flow cytometry can also be used to assess various aspects of platelet function. Flow cytometry is most often applied in veterinary oncology to diagnose and stage lymphoid neoplasia and leukemia, and can also be used to assess neoplastic and non-neoplastic marrow conditions. This article will cover some of the most common and popular uses of flow cytometry in small animals, and discuss the influences that this technology has on veterinary research and small animal clinical medicine.