Association of acuteBabesia canisinfection and serum lipid, lipoprotein, and apoprotein concentrations in dogs

Abstract

Background Babesia canis infection induces a marked acute phase response (APR) that might be associated with alteration in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism and disease prognosis. Hypothesis Dogs with B. canis ‐induced APR develop dyslipidemia with altered lipoprotein concentration and morphology. Animals Twenty‐nine client‐owned dogs with acute B. canis infection and 10 clinically healthy control dogs. Methods Observational cross‐sectional study. Serum amyloid A (SAA) was measured using ELISA. Cholesterol, phospholipids, and triglycerides were determined biochemically. Lipoproteins were separated using agarose gel electrophoresis. Lipoprotein diameter was assessed by polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis; correlation with ApoA‐1 (radioimmunoassay) and SAA was determined. Results Dogs with B. canis infection had a marked APR (median SAA, 168.3 μg/mL; range, 98.1‐716.2 μg/mL) compared with controls (3.2 μg/mL, 2.0‐4.2 μg/mL) ( P < .001). Dogs with B. canis infection had significantly lower median cholesterol (4.79 mmol/L, 1.89‐7.64 mmol/L versus 6.15 mmol/L, 4.2‐7.4 mmol/L) ( P = .02), phospholipid (4.64 mmol/L, 2.6‐6.6 mmol/L versus 5.72 mmol/L, 4.68‐7.0 mmol/L) ( P = .02), and α‐lipoproteins (77.5%, 27.7%‐93.5% versus 89.2%, 75.1%‐93.5%) ( P = .04), and higher ApoA‐1 (1.36 U, 0.8‐2.56 U versus 0.95 U, 0.73‐1.54 U) concentrations ( P = .02). Serum amyloid A correlated with high‐density lipoproteins (HDLs) diameter (rho = .43; P = .03) and ApoA‐1 (rho = .63, P < .001). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Major changes associated with B. canis ‐induced APR in dogs are related to concentration, composition, and morphology of HDL particles pointing to an altered reverse cholesterol transport. Parallel ApoA‐1 and SAA concentration increase is a unique still unexplained pathophysiological finding.

Lipid hijacking: A unifying theme in vector-borne diseases

“…However, patients infected with Babesia display lipid abnormalities and markedly low HDL levels, suggesting these parasites depend on host lipid metabolism as well ( Cunha et al, 2000 ; Bock et al, 2017 ; Table 1 ). Similar abnormalities have been observed in Babesia -infected cattle and canines ( Goodger et al, 1990 ; Milanović et al, 2019 ). These parasites have been demonstrated to rewire lipid biosynthesis to produce PC during the blood stage, much like Plasmodium ( Florin-Christensen et al, 2000 ).…”

Evaluation of Serum Apolipoprotein A1 in Canine Sepsis

“…Apo-A1 has been recently measured in a group of dogs with leishmaniosis, which had significantly decreased serum concentrations of this protein compared to healthy controls; furthermore, dogs with a good response to anti-Leishmania treatment displayed a significant increase of Apo-A1, suggesting its role as a potential biomarker of treatment monitoring during this disease (5). Curiously, Milanović et al reported a parallel Apo-A1 and SAA serum concentration increase in a population of dogs with acute infection by Babesia canis compared to control dogs; however, the latter finding is still unexplained and warrants further assessment (6).…”

Relationship between Changes in Hematological Parameters, Levels of Acute Phase Proteins and Redox Homeostasis during Acute Babesia canis Infection in Dogs

“…infection, large Babesia forms in the blood smears and positive PCR test for B. canis. Dogs were not included if proven positive for the modifi ed Knott test or had visible wounds, diagnosed allergy, endocrinopathies or neoplasms [19]. Complete blood count (CBC) was performed at presentation and dogs received the fi rst dose of imidocarb-dipropionate (6 mg/kg of body weight, s.c.).…”