Systemic inflammatory response indicators in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) experimentally infected with sporulated oocysts of Eimeria stiedai (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae)

Abstract

Hemograms and acute-phase proteins in adult male New Zealand White rabbits that had been experimentally infected orally with sporulated oocysts of Eimeria stiedai were evaluated over a 28-day period. Fifty animals were used, divided into two groups: group A infected with 1 × 10(4) sporulated oocysts of E. stiedai and group B inoculated with distilled water. On the seventh day after infection, the infected animals presented anemia and leukocytosis with neutrophilia and monocytosis. Protein fractionation by means of electrophoresis identified 19 acute-phase proteins with molecular weights ranging from 24 to 238 kD. Ceruloplasmin, transferrin and haptoglobin showed high levels on the seventh day after infection, with gradual increases in their concentrations until the end of the experimental period. Thus, from the data of the present study, E. stiedai is considered to be a pyogenic etiological agent for which the infection level can be monitored through the leukocyte count and serum concentrations of ceruloplasmin, transferrin and haptoglobin, and these can be recommended as complementary tests.

Systemic acute phase proteins response in calves experimentally infected with Eimeria zuernii

“…To our knowledge, our study is the first to examine the relationship between Hp and SAA levels and experimental infections with Eimeria in cattle, although studies on SAA and Hp levels in response to Eimeria infection have been performed in rabbits and goats. Rabbits infected with 10,000 Eimeria stiedai oocysts were reported by Freitas et al (2011) to exhibit increased APP concentrations of ceruloplasmin, transferrin and Hp from 7 to 28 days post-infection. Infection of goat kids with 1,000 or 100,000 sporulated Eimeria arloingi oocysts was also reported to increase blood levels of Hp and SAA (Hashemnia et al, 2011).…”

Correlation of serum acute-phase proteins with bone repair in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) submitted to partial radio ostectomy

“…In this study, a significant increase in PFA was found two months before the animals showed clinical signs (MARTINEZ-SUBIELA et al, 2014). Additionally, the analysis of PFA has yielded promising results in autoimmune disorders in calves (BEZUIDENHOUT & PRETORIUS, 2020), infectious diseases in cats and dogs (PALTRINIERI et al, 2007;KOCATURK et al, 2010), parasitic diseases in rabbits and dogs (FREITAS, 2011;MYLONAKIS et al, 2012;CÉRON et al 2018) and tumoral diseases in cats (SELTING et al, 2000). However, the correlation between these proteins and trauma is not yet fully understood (CHRISTENSEN et al, 2015).…”

Biology and Diseases of Rabbits

“…Serum bilirubin levels can rise to 305 mg/ dl, increasing as soon as day 6 of infection and increasing through days 20-24 before moderating (Rose, 1959). Leukocytosis and anemia can be observed and acute phase proteins are notably increased by 7 days post infection (Freitas et al, 2011). Diagnosis can be made by examination of fecal material, by either flotation or concentration methods.…”