Proportion and seasonality of blood parasites in animals in Mosul using the Veterinary Teaching Hospital Lab data.

Several local studies have examined evidence of blood parasites in different animals in Mosul; however, information about the most prevalent parasite and the seasonality of the infection remains limited. The objective of the study conducted here was to investigate the proportion and seasonality of blood parasites in animals in Mosul using the Veterinary Teaching Hospital Lab data. Laboratory records for a period of 25 months were used for data retrieval. In all included animals, Giemsa-stained blood smears were examined by an attending clinical pathologist for the presence of parasites. Seasons were assigned on a basis of examination date, and the seasonality was quantified by estimating season-to-season ratio. The results indicated that 61.77% of examined animals were tested positive for blood parasites. The most evident parasites were Trypanosoma spp., Theileria spp., Babesia spp., and then Anaplasma spp., with evidence of mixed infection. The odds of the infection did not significantly vary in different age groups. There was a marked linear pattern in the seasonality of the infection with Trypanosoma spp. and Anaplasma spp. An increase of the infection during spring and autumn with Theileria spp. and Babesia spp. was also evident. In conclusion, infection with blood parasites in different animals in Mosul is common with substantial burden, the effect of age-related infection is negligible, and the seasonality of the infection is evident.

Concentration of 2,3 bisphosphoglycerate in cattle affected with acute ruminal acidosis.

The main objective of the study conducted here was to estimate the concentration of 2,3-Bisphosphoglycerate (2,3-BPG), 1,3-Bisphosphoglycerate (1,3-BPG), bisphospho-glycerate mutase (BPGM) and 3-phosphoglycerate (3PG) in cattle clinically diagnosed with acute ruminal acidosis. A secondary objective was to examine the physical and chemical characteristics of the ruminal fluid in affected cattle. A total of 20 cattle clinically diagnosed with acute ruminal acidosis and eight clinically normal cattle were included in this study. The results showed that decrease of ruminal pH changed the ruminal fluid colour, odour and consistency, as well as decreased the sedimentation time, increased the methylene blue reduction time, and decreased ruminal microflora motility. The study indicated that the concentration of 2,3-BPG, BPGM and BPGP decreased with the decrease of ruminal pH, while 3-PG concentration was not affected with the decrease of ruminal pH. In conclusion, 2,3-BPG could play a role in the pathogenesis of ruminal acidosis, and thus, the intravenous administration of sodium bicarbonate is important, particularly in severe cases, to correct any systemic acidosis that can decrease 2,3-BPG concentration and results in tissue hypoxia.