Severe anaemia due to haematopoietic precursor cell destruction in field cases of East Coast Fever in Tanzania

Bisla

et al. 2017

IJAR

The present study aimed to diagnose Babesia bigemina in naturally infected crossbred cows and to determine its effect on haemato-biochemical profile of host animals. Blood samples from lactating crossbred cows (n=30) between 3-6 years of age and showing clinical signs of babesiosis were collected, with or without anticoagulant, and analyzed for the protozoa by direct smear, direct blood PCR detection of the apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1) gene specific amplicon of B. bigemina and estimation of haematological and biochemical parameters. Healthy crossbred cows (n=10), examined free from haemoprotozoan infections were included as control. Blood Direct PCR revealed a 448-bp amplified fragment. Out of 150 random blood samples screened, (27/150) 18% were positive under light microscope, whereas direct blood PCR revealed (39/150) 26% samples positive for B. bigemina. The result shows higher specificity and sensitivity of PCR test over blood smear examination. The infected group showed significantly (p<0.001) decreased levels of TEC (3.04±0.19), Hb (4.78±0.27) and PCV (14.53 ±0.87) than healthy control animals. However, differences in the red blood cell indices (MCV, MCH and MCHC) were non-significant (p>0.05) between the groups indicating normocytic hypochromic anaemia in affected crossbred cattle. Serum samples of infected cows showed significantly (p<0.01) higher values of ALT (78.83±8.95), AST (146.13±7.62), BUN (27.09±1.02), creatinine (1.93±0.1) and TBIL (1.42±0.06) than that of healthy control. A significant decrease (p<0.01) of TSP (6.12±0.13) and albumin (2.39±0.09) was also recorded in the infected cows compare to healthy control. The standardized blood direct PCR method of the present investigation may be useful for rapid and reliable diagnosis of B. bigemina in conjunction with microscopic examination. Moreover, marked changes in haematological and serum biochemical profile observed in B. bigemina infected crossbred cows may be useful in understanding disease pathogenesis and undertaking necessary corrective measures.

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 60%

Direct blood PCR detection of Babesia bigemina and its effect on haematological and biochemical profile in crossbred cattle of eastern Haryana

Bisla

et al. 2017

IJAR

“…Invasion of erythroid precursors by the merozoites of T. parva is associated with erythroid hypoplasia and severe anemia. 22 Erythrocyte survival studies of calves infected with T. sergenti showed that both infected and uninfected erythrocytes have reduced survival. 44 Studies with T. annulata in calves suggested an immune-mediated hemolysis as indicated by the presence of a hemagglutinin.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…30 Serum chemistry abnormalities seen in the index case are also consistent with bovine theileriosis. Hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia could be due to the extravascular accumlation of proteinaceous fluids resulting from diseased lymph nodes 22 and thus explain the edema and body cavity effusions. Hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia probably were due to the hypoproteinemia or decreased dietary intake.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Theileriosis in a Missouri Beef Herd Caused by Theileria buffeli

et al. 2000

Abstract.A 6-year-old Simmental cow infected with Theileria buffeli had a clinical disease characterized by theilerial parasitemia, macrocytic normochromic anemia with acanthocytosis and spherocytosis, lymphoid hyperplasia (lymphocytosis, edematous lymphadenomegaly), dysproteinemia, evidence of liver disease, and a low serum antibody titer against T. buffeli. The cow was in a herd in which all cattle originated in Missouri; 22/75 (29%) of cattle had a theilerial parasitemia and 26/75 (35%) had titers to T. buffeli of Ն1 : 160. Classification of the Missouri bovine organism as T. buffeli was based on DNA sequencing and comparison to sequences for T. buffeli and Theileria sp. type A obtained from GenBank. Intraerythrocytic veils and piroplasms were seen during transmission electron microscopy. The organism was successfully transmitted to two splenectomized calves, which developed mild anemias while parasitemic. Blood from the second calf was used as the source of T. buffeli antigen for an indirect immunofluorescence antibody test. Theilerial isolates from a Missouri white-tailed deer were also sequenced and resembled Theileria sp. types F and G and were not consistent with the bovine organism.

The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science

“…parva is an obligate intracellular parasite and the sporozoites infect T or B cells causing a severe febrile disease in cattle. After differentiation into macroschizonts in bovine lymphoid cells, infected and bystander cells undergo the massive destruction of lymphocytes in thymus, spleen or lymph nodes [17]. Some macroschizonts further differentiate into merozoites.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantitative Analysis of Cytokine mRNA Expression and Protozoan DNA Load in Theileria parva-Infected Cattle

Yamada

Konnai

Imamura

et al. 2009

ABSTRACT. Theileria parva (T. parva) causes a highly serious bovine disease called East Coast fever (ECF), which is characterized by pyrexia, dyspnea and cachexia and is of great economic importance in African countries. We hypothesize that the clinical symptoms of ECF could be explained by a cytokine dysregulation. In this study, we investigated the relationship between T. parva DNA load and expression levels of cytokine mRNAs in leukocytes from experimentally infected calves by quantitative PCR. The p104 gene, which encodes the T. parva 104 kDa microneme-rhoptry protein, was detected in cattle blood from day 10 after T. parva-infected tick infestation, and the protozoan DNA load was increased together with severity of disease. The mRNA expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, were up-regulated with protozoan DNA load increasing. In addition, the level of a type-2 cytokine (IL-10) transcript was also increased during the acute phase. In contrast, the down-regulation or no detectable levels of the expression of type-1 cytokines, such as IL-2 and interferon (IFN)-γ were observed in T. parva-infected animals. Thus, our observations indicated that high protozoan load and resulting intense inflammatory responses might be involved in the severity of clinical signs observed in T. parva-infection.