Observations on the Activities of Certain Serum Enzymes and Levels of Some Biochemical Parameters in Spent Horses with Liver Damage

Clinical biochemistry tests are one of the tests designed to assess the functional status of the liver in domestic animals and man. This study evaluated the activities of some serum enzymes and the level of some biochemical parameters in horses with acute and chronic liver damage. This study was carried out in Nigerian horses presented for sale at the Obollo Afor horse depot, Udenu Local Government Area, Enugu State Nigeria. A total of 100 adult Nigerian horses of either sex were studied once a week for a period of 24 weeks. Serum biochemistry parameters indicated for the assessment of liver function were evaluated following standard procedures. These parameters include: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total proteins, albumin, globulin, total cholesterol, total bilirubin and urea. Based on the outcome of the serum biochemistry evaluation, the horses were assigned into 3 groups namely: apparently healthy horses (Group 1), horses with biochemical markers of acute liver damage (Group 2) and horses with biochemical markers of chronic liver damage (Group 3). The mean serum ALT, AST, ALP and total bilirubin values of group 2 horses were significantly (p 0.05) difference in the mean serum urea value of group 2 and 3. A significantly (p 0.05) differences in the mean serum total protein, globulin and cholesterol values across the groups. In the spent horses, acute liver damage was characterized by increased serum ALT, AST and ALP activities, and decrease in creatinine level, hyperbilirubinemia, slight hypoalbuminemia, normal total protein, globulin and cholesterol levels while chronic liver damage was characterized by decreased serum ALT activity, normal serum AST and ALP activities, decreased serum urea level, normal total protein, albumin, globulin, total bilirubin and cholesterol levels

Haemato-biochemical profile of apparently healthy domestic turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in Nsukka, Enugu state, Nigeria

Performing comprehensive health assessment on turkey populations enables one to determine their responses to physiological factors such as sex, breed and environmental stressors. The haemato-biochemical parameters of 58 apparently healthy domestic turkeys of varying breeds and sexes, raised by small scale turkey farmers in Nsukka metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria and the physiological factors (sex and breed) that influence them were determined. All haemato-biochemical procedures were carried out following standard procedures. The mean for the haemato-biochemical parameters were as follows: packed cell volume 30.70 ± 0.63 %; red blood cell count 3.75 ± 0.22 x 106/μl; hemoglobin concentration 12.95 ± 0.62 g/dl; total leukocyte count 3.67 ± 0.09 x 103 /μl; heterophil 2.24 ± 103/μl; lymphocyte 1.36 ± 0.06 x 103/μl; monocyte 0.03 ± 0.00 x 103/μl; eosinophil 0.10 ± 0.02 x 103/μl; basophil 0.01 ± 0.00 x 103/μl; aspartate aminotransferase 73.99 ± 5.40 IU/L; alanine aminotransferase 11.00 ± 2.12 IU/L; alkaline phosphatase 165.19 ± 15.77 IU/L; total proteins 4.64 ± 0.17 g/dl; albumin 2.54 ± 0.12 g/dl; globulin 2.11 ± 0.12 g/dl; cholesterol 157.83 ± 12.81 mg/dl; creatinine 0.98 ± 0.11 mg/dl; uric acid 5.62 ± 0.45 mg/dl. There were no sex-related variations in all the studied haematological and biochemical parameters. It was also found that the local breed had significantly higher (p<0.05) monocyte numbers than the foreign breed (Nicholas large white). This study shall form a basis for establishing haematobiochemical reference range of values for clinical and scientific uses by avian clinicians for turkey populations in Nsukka.Keywords: Haematology, Biochemicals, Domestic turkeys, Nsukka metropoli

Reference Intervals for the Serum Biochemistry and Lipid Profile of Male Broodstock African Catfish (<i>Clarias gariepinus</i>: Burchell, 1822) at Varied Ages

The study established reference intervals and age variations in the serum biochemistry and lipid profile of cultured male broodstock African catfish. The evaluations were carried out on twenty-five (25) cultured male broodstock African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) of 6, 8, 9, 10 and 12 months of age. Standard biochemical procedures were carried out in all the serum biochemistry and lipid profile determinations. The overall mean ± SD values for the serum biochemistry parameters and lipid profile were as follows: alanine aminotransferase 17.49 ± 8.30 U/L; aspartate aminotransferase 125.76 ± 28.59 U/L; alkaline phosphatase 12.42 ± 2.56 U/L; total proteins 3.70 ± 1.49 g/dl; albumin 1.60 ± 0.30 g/dl; globulin 2.10 ± 1.38 g/dl; albumin/globulin 1.53 ± 1.71; total bilirubin 1.71 ± 0.51 mg/dl; direct bilirubin 0.36 ± 0.43 mg/dl; indirect bilirubin 1.35 ± 0.52 mg/dl; creatinine 1.13 ± 0.64 mg/dl; blood urea nitrogen 2.18 ± 2.47 mg/dl; total cholesterol 128.18 ± 40.22 mg/dl; HDL-C 26.36 ± 3.73 mg/dl; LDL-C 75.44 ± 9.30 mg/dl; VLDL-C 32.00 ± 2.03 mg/dl and triglyceride 160.00 ± 10.15 mg/dl. The results showed significant (P < 0.05) variations in all the serum biochemistry parameters and lipid profile of the studied fishes, across the different age groups except in the serum alkaline phosphatase activity. Therefore, the current report offers information that shall be useful to all carrying out experimental studies involving assay of these parameters in male broodstock African catfish

Clinical Pathology, Immunopathology and Advanced Vaccine Technology in Bovine Theileriosis: A Review

Theileriosis is a blood piroplasmic disease that adversely affects the livestock industry, especially in tropical and sub-tropical countries. It is caused by haemoprotozoan of the Theileria genus, transmitted by hard ticks and which possesses a complex life cycle. The clinical course of the disease ranges from benign to lethal, but subclinical infections can occur depending on the infecting Theileria species. The main clinical and clinicopathological manifestations of acute disease include fever, lymphadenopathy, anorexia and severe loss of condition, conjunctivitis, and pale mucous membranes that are associated with Theileria-induced immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia and/or non-regenerative anaemia. Additionally, jaundice, increases in hepatic enzymes, and variable leukocyte count changes are seen. Theileria annulata and Theileria parva induce an incomplete transformation of lymphoid and myeloid cell lineages, and these cells possess certain phenotypes of cancer cells. Pathogenic genotypes of Theileria orientalis have been recently associated with severe production losses in Southeast Asia and some parts of Europe. The infection and treatment method (ITM) is currently used in the control and prevention of T. parva infection, and recombinant vaccines are still under evaluation. The use of gene gun immunization against T. parva infection has been recently evaluated. This review, therefore, provides an overview of the clinicopathological and immunopathological profiles of Theileria-infected cattle and focus on DNA vaccines consisting of plasmid DNA with genes of interest, molecular adjuvants, and chitosan as the most promising next-generation vaccine against bovine theileriosis

High granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor to interleukin 10 ratio and marked antioxidant enzyme activities predominate in symptomatic cattle naturally infected with Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos, Theileria orientalis, Theileria sinensis and Trypanosoma evansi

The aim of this study was to measure the serum proinflammatory (IL-12, GM-CSF & IFN-γ) to anti-inflammatory (IL-10, IL-4) cytokine ratio, oxidant (MDA) level and antioxidant enzyme (SOD; GPx) activities after blood parasite infections. The blood and serum samples were obtained from 130 cattle and screened for identity of the infecting blood parasites by conventional PCR. The following blood parasite species were detected: Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos (70/130); Theileria orientalis (65/130); Theileria sinensis (32/130); Anaplasma marginale (49/130); Anaplasma platys (7/130); and Trypanosoma evansi (4/130). The GM-CSF/IL-10 ratio showed significantly higher values in all the symptomatic blood parasite infected cattle groups except for symptomatic A. platys infected cattle groups. Anti-inflammatory cytokine immune responses were notable findings in symptomatic and asymptomatic cattle infected with C. M. haemobos and T. orientalis characterized by low serum IL-12:IL-10, IFN-γ:IL-10, IL-12:IL-4 and IFN-γ:IL-4 (p < 0.05). Therefore, high serum GM-CSF:IL:10 in the symptomatic blood parasite infected cattle, low serum IL-12:IL-10, IFN-γ:IL-10, IL-12:IL-4 and IFN-γ:IL-4 ratios in asymptomatic cattle, high MDA level, and increased antioxidant enzyme activities could be useful predictive tools for outcome of natural blood parasite infections in cattle

High Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor to Interleukin 10 Ratio and Marked Antioxidant Enzyme Activities Predominate in Symptomatic Cattle Naturally Infected with Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos, Theileria orientalis, Theileria sinensis and Trypanosoma evansi

The aim of this study was to measure the serum proinflammatory (IL-12, GM-CSF & IFN-γ) to anti-inflammatory (IL-10, IL-4) cytokine ratio, oxidant (MDA) level and antioxidant enzyme (SOD; GPx) activities after blood parasite infections. The blood and serum samples were obtained from 130 cattle and screened for identity of the infecting blood parasites by conventional PCR. The following blood parasite species were detected: Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos (70/130); Theileria orientalis (65/130); Theileria sinensis (32/130); Anaplasma marginale (49/130); Anaplasma platys (7/130); and Trypanosoma evansi (4/130). The GM-CSF/IL-10 ratio showed significantly higher values in all the symptomatic blood parasite infected cattle groups except for symptomatic A. platys infected cattle groups. Anti-inflammatory cytokine immune responses were notable findings in symptomatic and asymptomatic cattle infected with C. M. haemobos and T. orientalis characterized by low serum IL-12:IL-10, IFN-γ:IL-10, IL-12:IL-4 and IFN-γ:IL-4 (p < 0.05). Therefore, high serum GM-CSF:IL:10 in the symptomatic blood parasite infected cattle, low serum IL-12:IL-10, IFN-γ:IL-10, IL-12:IL-4 and IFN-γ:IL-4 ratios in asymptomatic cattle, high MDA level, and increased antioxidant enzyme activities could be useful predictive tools for outcome of natural blood parasite infections in cattle

Molecular detection of Theileria species, Anaplasma species, Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos, Trypanosoma evansi and first evidence of Theileria sinensis-associated bovine anaemia in crossbred KedahKelantan x Brahman cattle

Background: Serious disease outbreaks in cattle are usually associated with blood pathogens. This study aims to detect blood pathogens namely Theileria species, Anaplasma species, Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos and Trypanosoma evansi, and determine their phylogenetic relationships and haemato-biochemical abnormalities in naturally infected cattle. Methods: Molecular analysis was achieved by PCR amplification and sequencing of PCR amplicons of 18SrRN of Theileria species, 16SrRNA genes of Anaplasma and Mycoplasma species, MPSP genes of T. orientalis and T. sinensis, MSP4 gene of A. marginale, 16SrRNA gene of Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos, and RoTat1.2 VSG gene of Trypanosoma evansi, in sixty-one (61) clinically ill Kedah Kelantan x Brahman cattle in Pahang, Malaysia. Results: A total of 44 (72.13%) cattle were infected with more than one blood pathogen. Theileria species was the blood pathogen with the highest molecular detection rate (72.13, 95% CI 59.83–81.81%). Nucleotide blast analyses of all sequences demonstrated high degree of molecular similarity (98–100%) in comparison with their respective reference sequences. Analysis of 18SrRNA gene sequences of Theileria species and 16SrRNA gene sequences of Anaplasma species revealed Theileria sinensis and Anaplasma platys respectively as additional species detected inthese cattle. MPSP-PCR analysis was conducted for further confirmation of T. sinensis. The blood picture of eight infected cattle groups revealed poikilocytosis, anisocytosis, rouleaux formation and degenerative left shift. High mean erythrocyte fragility values were common in infected cattle groups. Anaemia of the macrocytic normochromic type and spherocytes were observed in the T. evansi and Anaplasma platys + Theileria sinensis double species co-infected cattle group. Normocytic normochromic anaemia was observed in the T. sinensis infected cattle group. Significant (p < 0.05) increases in serum liver and kidney parameters, total protein, globulin, total and unconjugated bilirubin and decreased albumin values were observed in the T. evansi infected cattle when compared to clinically healthy cattle. Conclusion: We present the first evidence of Theileria sinensis-associated bovine anaemia (TSABA) in Malaysian cattle. Because of the high occurrence of bovine theileriosis and detection of A. platys, there is an urgent need for appropriate preventive and control measures against these blood pathogens