Comparison of Whole Blood and Plasma Glucose Concentrations in Green Turtles (Chelonia Mydas) Determined Using a Glucometer and a Dry Chemistry Analyzer

Abstract

: We compared glucose concentrations in whole blood and plasma from green turtles ( Chelonia mydas) using a glucometer with plasma glucose analyzed by dry chemistry analyzer. Whole blood glucose (glucometer) and plasma glucose (dry chemistry) had the best agreement ( r=0.85) and a small negative bias (-0.08 mmol/L).

Pre-/analytical factors affecting whole blood and plasma glucose concentrations in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta)

“…Easy-Touch1 glucose analysis showed a systematic positive bias in loggerhead sea turtles in this study, overestimating glucose measurements when compared to the DCA. These findings are similar to green turtles [38] and indicate that results from the POC glucometer were acceptable overall, but the systematic overestimation of glucose should be considered when making clinical decisions or comparisons to other published glucose data in loggerhead sea turtles. For example, hypoglycemia may not be detected, or a patient diagnosed with hypoglycemia by glucometer is likely much more hypoglycemic when comparing plasma glucose.…”

“…The EasyTouch1 glucose monitoring system used in this study had previously been validated in green turtles (Chelonia mydas) [38]. Although blood glucose in green turtles may be different from loggerhead sea turtles during health and disease, there was very strong correlation between methods (POC glucometer vs. DCA) in green turtles [38]. Easy-Touch1 glucose analysis showed a systematic positive bias in loggerhead sea turtles in this study, overestimating glucose measurements when compared to the DCA.…”

“…However, proper assay validation of a new diagnostic method is necessary for appropriate result interpretation. The EasyTouch1 glucose monitoring system used in this study had previously been validated in green turtles (Chelonia mydas) [38]. Although blood glucose in green turtles may be different from loggerhead sea turtles during health and disease, there was very strong correlation between methods (POC glucometer vs. DCA) in green turtles [38].…”

“…Hence, refrigerated whole blood samples stored for 2h or longer did not produce reliable blood glucose results by EasyTouch1. Given that the POC glucometer tends to overestimate plasma glucose [38], glucose measurements close to the lower end of published reference intervals for loggerhead sea turtles [31][32][33][34][35]37] should be considered hypoglycemic or at risk for hypoglycemia. These considerations emphasize the need for POC glucometer samples to be processed immediately after sample collection.…”

Physiological changes in post-hatchling green turtles (Chelonia mydas) following short-term fasting: implications for release protocols

“…Metabolic studies in wildlife have become increasingly feasible with the advent of hand-held point of care blood analysers, such as the VetScan i-STAT®. (Alberghina et al , 2015; Hunt et al , 2016; Perrault et al , 2018; Stoot et al , 2014; Wolf et al , 2008). These machines are capable of assessing blood gases and plasma analytes and have the potential to provide near real-time insights into the metabolic state of an animal.…”