Sheep naturally infected with Anaplasma ovis - evaluation of cardiac and inflammatory biomarkers

Background: Anaplasmosis, also called gall sickness or tropical bovine ehrlichiosis, is an infectious disease caused by species belonging to the genus Anaplasma in domestic and wild animals in tropical and subtropical regions. Anaplasma ovis and A. phagocytophilum are important pathogens of sheep. A. ovis is considered the most common species affecting sheep. The infection is usually subclinical and progresses with high fever, anaemia, icterus, weight loss and abortions. This study aimed to investigate changes in cardiac damage markers, oxidative stress and antioxidant status, cytokines, and acute phase proteins in sheep naturally infected with A. ovis. Materials, Methods & Results: For this purpose, a total of 40 animals, including 20 healthy sheep and 20 sheep infected with anaplasmosis, were used. A. ovis was diagnosed based on clinical findings and peripheral blood smear. Blood smears were prepared from the ear vein. The smears were stained with Giemsa and examined for the presence of Anaplasma spp. Infection was also confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. The genomic DNA was isolated from blood, and the MSP-4 gene region was amplified as A. ovis specific target gene. Twenty clinically healthy sheep of the same age group, reared under the same conditions and testing negative in the molecular assessment were used as controls. Blood samples were collected from the cephalic vein and and centrifuged to obtain serum. The serum stored at -20°C until the analysis stage. Serum samples were used for the analysis of cardiac damage markers [troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase MB (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate transaminase (AST)], oxidative stress parameters [malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant status (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)], cytokines [interleukins IL-6, IL-1ß and IL-10, tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ)] and acute phase proteins [C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA) and haptoglobin (Hp)]. cTnI and CK-MB levels were measured using a chemiluminescent immunoassay. MDA, TAS, SOD, CAT, GPx, TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, SAA and Hp levels were measured by an ELISA reader. LDH, AST and CRP levels were measured in an autoanalyzer. cTnI and LDH levels were significantly increased in the infected animals compared to the healthy ones (P < 0.05). The concentration of AST was decreased in infected animals. MDA, TAS, SOD, CAT and GPx levels were significantly increased in the infected animals compared to the healthy ones (P < 0.05). The levels of the inflammatory parameters such as TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-10 and IFN-γ were significantly increased in the infected animals compared to the healthy ones (P < 0.05). Hp level were significantly increased in the infected group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant change in CK-MB, SAA and CRP concentrations in the infected animals (P > 0.05). Discussion: Ovine anaplasmosis is an obligate intracellular arthropod disease that causes widespread changes in haematobiochemical, immune response and oxidative stress parameters. Cardiac damage is often overlooked in field conditions due to the lack of adequate knowledge about the pathophysiology of the disease. Our results showed that A. ovis infection leads to significant changes in cardiac biomarkers and that the parasite can cause cardiac dysfunction. This is the first report on cardiac damage markers in Anaplasma-infected sheep. Additionally, the levels of proinflammatory and oxidative stress markers that may cause functional disorders were also found to be increased. Thus, measuring markers of cardiac function, oxidative stress and inflammation can be a useful tool in the early diagnosis of ovine anaplasmosis.

Safety of antitheilerial drug buparvaquone in rams

Background: Theileriosis is a tick-borne disease caused by Theileria strains of the protozoan species. Buparvaquone is the mostly preferred drug in the treatment theileriosis, while it is safety in sheep, has not been detailed investigated. It has been hypothesized that buparvaquone may show side effects and these effects may be defined some parameters measured from blood in sheep when it is used at the recommended dose and duration. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of buparvaquone on the blood oxidative status, cardiac, hepatic and renal damage and bone marrow function markers.Materials, Methods & Results: In this study, ten adult (> 2 years) Akkaraman rams were used. Healthy rams were placed in paddocks, provided water ad libitum, and fed with appropriate rations during the experiment. Buparvaquone was administered at the dose of 2.5 mg/kg (IM) intramuscularly twice at 3-day intervals. Blood samples were obtained before (0. h, Control) and after drug administration at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 days. The blood samples were transferred to gel tubes, and the sera were removed (2000 g, 15 min). During the study, the heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature were measured at each sampling time. In addition, the animals were clinically observed. Plasma oxidative status markers (Malondialdehyde, total antioxidant status, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase), serum cardiac (Troponin I, creatine kinase-MBmass, lactate dehydrogenase), hepatic (Alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyltransferase, total protein, albumin, globulin) and renal (Creatinine, blood urea nitrogen) damage markers and hemogram values (white blood cell, red blood cell, platelet, hemogram, hematocrit) were measured.[...]

Safety of antitheilerial drug buparvaquone in rams

Background: Theileriosis is a tick-borne disease caused by Theileria strains of the protozoan species. Buparvaquone is the mostly preferred drug in the treatment theileriosis, while it is safety in sheep, has not been detailed investigated. It has been hypothesized that buparvaquone may show side effects and these effects may be defined some parameters measured from blood in sheep when it is used at the recommended dose and duration. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of buparvaquone on the blood oxidative status, cardiac, hepatic and renal damage and bone marrow function markers.Materials, Methods & Results: In this study, ten adult (> 2 years) Akkaraman rams were used. Healthy rams were placed in paddocks, provided water ad libitum, and fed with appropriate rations during the experiment. Buparvaquone was administered at the dose of 2.5 mg/kg (IM) intramuscularly twice at 3-day intervals. Blood samples were obtained before (0. h, Control) and after drug administration at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 days. The blood samples were transferred to gel tubes, and the sera were removed (2000 g, 15 min). During the study, the heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature were measured at each sampling time. In addition, the animals were clinically observed. Plasma oxidative status markers (Malondialdehyde, total antioxidant status, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase), serum cardiac (Troponin I, creatine kinase-MBmass, lactate dehydrogenase), hepatic (Alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyltransferase, total protein, albumin, globulin) and renal (Creatinine, blood urea nitrogen) damage markers and hemogram values (white blood cell, red blood cell, platelet, hemogram, hematocrit) were measured.[...](AU)

Comparison of the effectiveness of halofuginone lactate and paromomycin in the treatment of calves naturally infected with Cryptosporidium parvum

Background: Cryptosporidiosis is one of the most important problems among neonatal ruminants. Cryptosporidium parvum is the agent causing the disease. Cryptosporidium infection, responsible for diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss and death in neonatal ruminants, leads to significant economic losses for producers. In calves naturally or experimentally infected with cryptosporidiosis, many agents have been reported to have therapeutic and protective effects. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of halofuginone lactate and paromomycin in the treatment of calves naturally infected with Cryptosporidium parvum.Materials, Methods & Results: Twenty calves between 7 and 20 days of age and naturally infected were included in the study. There were two different treatment groups in the study. The first group of calves were administered 100 µg/kg/day halofuginone lactate for 7 days and the second group of calves were administered 100 mg/kg/day paromomycin for 7 days. In addition, antibiotic and vitamin C were applied to all calves. Jugular venous blood samples were obtained pre-treatment and on the 7th day after the treatment. Routine clinical examinations of the calves were performed on days 0, 1, 3, 5 and 7 and rectal stool samples were collected for the detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts. Severe diarrhea, dehydration, depression and weight loss were observed in calves in both treatment groups. A significant decrease (P < 0.05) was observed for both groups in oocyst count on days 3, 5 and 7 compared to days 0 and 1. Improvements in blood parameters, stool characters and clinical scoring of both groups were observed in post-treatment. Discussion: Many pharmaceuticals or compounds have been tested for animal with cryptosporidiosis and only very few of them have shown a partial protective activity in ruminants when used prophylactically. Halofuginone lactate and paromomycin are commonly recommended as both therapeutic and protective agents.[...]

Comparison of the effectiveness of halofuginone lactate and paromomycin in the treatment of calves naturally infected with Cryptosporidium parvum

Background: Cryptosporidiosis is one of the most important problems among neonatal ruminants. Cryptosporidium parvum is the agent causing the disease. Cryptosporidium infection, responsible for diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss and death in neonatal ruminants, leads to significant economic losses for producers. In calves naturally or experimentally infected with cryptosporidiosis, many agents have been reported to have therapeutic and protective effects. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of halofuginone lactate and paromomycin in the treatment of calves naturally infected with Cryptosporidium parvum.Materials, Methods & Results: Twenty calves between 7 and 20 days of age and naturally infected were included in the study. There were two different treatment groups in the study. The first group of calves were administered 100 µg/kg/day halofuginone lactate for 7 days and the second group of calves were administered 100 mg/kg/day paromomycin for 7 days. In addition, antibiotic and vitamin C were applied to all calves. Jugular venous blood samples were obtained pre-treatment and on the 7th day after the treatment. Routine clinical examinations of the calves were performed on days 0, 1, 3, 5 and 7 and rectal stool samples were collected for the detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts. Severe diarrhea, dehydration, depression and weight loss were observed in calves in both treatment groups. A significant decrease (P < 0.05) was observed for both groups in oocyst count on days 3, 5 and 7 compared to days 0 and 1. Improvements in blood parameters, stool characters and clinical scoring of both groups were observed in post-treatment. Discussion: Many pharmaceuticals or compounds have been tested for animal with cryptosporidiosis and only very few of them have shown a partial protective activity in ruminants when used prophylactically. Halofuginone lactate and paromomycin are commonly recommended as both therapeutic and protective agents.[...](AU)