Serum protein alterations in dogs naturally infected with Toxoplasma gondii

Abstract

We conducted this study to describe the serum electrophoretic pattern in dogs associated with the infection of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). The serum protein pattern of 25 dogs with confirmed T. gondii infection and 15 clinically healthy dogs were evaluated using native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Albumin, alpha-1 globulin, alpha-2 globulin, beta globulin, and gamma globulin bands were seen from the serum electrophoresis of infected and healthy dogs. Compared to the control group, significant decreases in the mean percentages of albumin (from 46.1+/-7.2 to 40.8+/-4.5%, P<0.05), alpha-1 globulin (from 3.9+/-0.4 to 0.8+/-0.2%, P<0.001), alpha-2 globulin (from 9.0+/-0.4 to 8.3+/-0.8%, P<0.01), and beta globulin (from 18.4+/-1.2 to 12.1+/-0.6%, P<0.001) in the infected group were determined. In contrast, gamma globulin fraction was significantly higher in infected dogs (38.1+/-4.6%) than in control dogs (22.7+/-7.2%; P<0.001). Moreover, significant correlations were determined between the percentages of the albumin and gamma globulin fractions and liver enzyme tests including aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in infected dogs; however, no correlation was observed for the other protein fractions. In conclusion, marked alterations in serum protein pattern associated with strong modifications of serum protein concentrations are in accordance with the hepatic injury as affirmed by liver enzyme tests that were demonstrated in the canine toxoplasmosis. These findings showed that serum protein electrophoresis can be used in the diagnosis and prognosis of canine toxoplasmosis as a supplementary analysis in combination with serological, clinical, and laboratory findings of this disease.

Liver function tests in toxoplasmosis

“…The significantly elevated serum activities of aminotransferases in the serologically positive cases of toxoplasmosis in this study are in agreement with several studies (28)(29)(30)(31) . These results also agree with the studies performed on experimental animals (32,(35)(36)(37) .…”

Evaluation of oxidative stress, hematological and biochemical parameters during Toxoplasma gondii infection in gerbils

“…We found that plasma AST and ALT activities were increased in T. gondii-infected gerbils, consistent with previous studies conducted on rats (14,41). Several studies have also demonstrated increased serum AST and ALT activities in T. gondiiinfected mice, dogs and goats (6,20,51). Increased plasma AST and ALT activities reflects impairment of the liver.…”

“…Boothroyd et al (14) observed that toxoplasmosis led to an increase in serum protein and globulin concentrations and a decrease in serum albumin concentrations during the acute stage. Yarim et al (51) reported that T. gondii infection causes hypoalbuminemia in dogs. Our results are consistent with those of previous studies (6,14,51), except for the globulin and total protein concentrations measured.…”

“…Yarim et al (51) reported that T. gondii infection causes hypoalbuminemia in dogs. Our results are consistent with those of previous studies (6,14,51), except for the globulin and total protein concentrations measured. The reduction in plasma albumin concentrations in the present study may be explained by disturbances in liver function (24) or increase protein catabolism (14) In conclusion, this study showed that toxoplasmosis induces lipid peroxidation, decreases superoxide dismutase activity and albumin concentrations, increases hepatic enzymes activities, such as AST and ALT.…”

In Vitro and in Vivo Effects of Nitrofurantoin on Experimental Toxoplasmosis

“…Toxoplasmosis causes liver pathologies [ 27 ], and the significant agreement of serologically positive cases with elevated plasma AST and ALT has been reported [ 28 ]. A decrease in GSH activity was detected, while an increase of MDA was observed in T. gondii -infected patients [ 29 ].…”