The quantitation of Trypanosoma congolense in calves. II. Biochemical change

Changes in serum electrolytes, osmolality, total proteins and protein fractions, lipid levels and organ function tests were determined in neonatal and 6-month-old calves infected with T. congolense TREU 112 and control calves. There were no consistent changes in electrolytes or osmolality for either age group of calves. There was a decrease in total serum protein in the infected 6-month-old calves, caused by decreases in the albumin and beta 2-globulin fractions. The total serum protein level remained constant in the infected neonatal calves, but there was a significant decrease in the albumin fraction which was compensated for by an increase in alpha-globulin and gamma-globulin fractions. Total serum lipids and cholesterol were decreased and triglyceride levels and erythrocyte phospholipid levels were significantly elevated in both age groups of infected calves. Tests of adrenal and hepatic function were not significantly different in infected calves compared to control calves of the same age group. Thyroid function tests showed that T3 was significantly elevated in infected 6-month-old calves, whereas T4 was significantly decreased in infected neonatal calves

Changes in blood glucose concentration are associated with relatively rapid changes in circulating fructosamine concentrations in cats

The aim of the study was to determine the time required for plasma fructosamine concentration to increase after the onset of hyperglycaemia and decrease after resolution of hyperglycaemia. Healthy cats (n = 14) were infused to maintain either moderate hyperglycaemia (n = 5) (actual mean glucose 17 mmol/l) or marked hyperglycaemia (n = 9) (actual 29 mmol/l) for 42 days. Fructosamine exceeded the upper limit of the reference range (331 μmol/l) after 3–5 days of marked hyperglycaemia, took 20 days to plateau and, after cessation of infusion, took 5 days to return to baseline. Fructosamine concentration for moderate hyperglycaemia took longer to exceed the reference range (7 days, range 4–14 days), and fewer days to plateau (8 days) and return to baseline (1 day). In cats with moderate hyperglycaemia, fructosamine concentration mostly fluctuated under the upper limit of the reference range. The range of fructosamine concentrations associated with a given glucose concentration was wide. The critical difference for fructosamine was 33 μmol/l