Assessment of oxidative stress and antioxidant status in cattle infected with Theileria orientalis

Abstract

Oriental theileriosis is a major haemoprotozoan disease of cattle and causes huge economic losses to the farmers. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of anaemia and subsequent complications associated with theileriosis. The present study was conducted to assess oxidative stress and antioxidant status of cattle infected with Theileria orientalis. In the present study, 16 animals which were positive for theileriosis by blood smear examination were selected. Confirmation of oriental theileriosis was done with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Assessment of oxidative stress and antioxidant status were done by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and reduced glutathione activity respectively. Both MDA levels and reduced glutathione activity did not indicate any significant difference in animals infected with T. orientalis from control animals.