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Observed variation in the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio values of birds undergoing investigation of health status

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Abstract

Analysis of blood has been commonly used in the clinical assessment of the health status of birds and typically encompasses a suite of haematological assays. Determination of the heterophil to lymphocyte (H/L) ratio has been commonly reported as an alternative measure of leukocyte values, particularly in studies of naturally occurring physiological influences on birds. Relatively few studies have assessed the H/L ratio values of birds undergoing haematological assessment as part of an investigation of health status. In the current study, the H/L ratio was retrospectively determined for birds that had undergone a haematological assessment as part of a clinical investigation of health. Of the 176 adult birds assessed, encompassing 70 species and 17 orders within the Aves, the H/L ratio was between 0.19 and 64.67 and was greater than 2.0 in 68.8 % of birds. The current study illustrates that the H/L ratio of birds can be markedly affected by disorders of health which should be considered when interpreting any H/L ratio value.

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  1. School of Biomedical Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia

    P. Clark

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Clark, P. Observed variation in the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio values of birds undergoing investigation of health status. Comp Clin Pathol 24, 1151–1157 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-014-2052-1

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