Determination of hematological and serum biochemical values and detection of Chlamydophila psittaci antibodies in captive hornbills at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to provide an initial report on hematologic and serum biochemical values and to detect an intracellular bacterium, Chlamydophila psittaci on Tarictic Hornbill (Penelopides panini), Rufous Hornbill (Buceros hydrocorax), and Palawan Hornbill (Anthracoceros marchei) held captive at the Ninoy Aquino parks and wildlife nature center. Aims and Objectives: Being indigenous to the Philippines, the initial reports of hematological values and the common diseases of this subspecies are significant to be determined and studied. This study was conducted to provide an initial report on hematological and serum biochemical values and the detection of antibodies against C. psittaci in the blood serum of Tarictic, Rufuos, and Palawan hornbill at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center. Materials and Methods: Captive birds at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center in the Philippines were used as samples. Blood was collected and subjected to hematology and serum analysis. Results: The obtained parameters for hematology are as follows: Hematocrit is 44% ± 3; total red blood cell (RBC) count is 10.24 × 10 6 cells/mm 3 ± 0.98; hemoglobin is 13.47 g/dL ± 0.73; mean corpuscular volume is 130.07 femtoliter ± 13.52; mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) is 13.31 picogram (pg) ± 1.85; MCH concentration is 30.68% ± 2.88; total white blood cell (WBC) is 17.53 × 10 3 cells/mm 3 ± 2.89; total heterophil is 10.97 × 10 3 cells/mm 3 ± 2.68; total basophil is 1.16 × 10 3 cells/mm 3 ± 1.00; total eosinophil is 0.54 × 10 3 cells/mm 3 ± 0.40; total lymphocyte is 3.27 × 10 3 cells/mm 3 ± 1.33; total monocyte is 1.61 × 10 3 cells/mm 3 ± 0.75; and total thrombocyte is 236667 × 10 3 cells/mm 3 ± 6264.98. The obtained parameters for serum chemistry are as follows: Glucose is 237.34 mg/dl ± 27.33; cholesterol is 171.09 mg/dl ± 23.80; triglyceride is 116.26 mg/dl ± 17.67; high-density lipoprotein is 70.12 mg/dl ± 11.20; low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is 77.72 mg/dl ± 14.71; very-LDL is 23.25 mg/dl ± 3.53; blood urea nitrogen is 4.07 mg/dl ± 0.47; creatinine is 0.26 mg/dl ± 0.07; BUA is 21.49 mg/dl ± 1.97; SGPT is 50.90 Ul/L ± 15.99; and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase is 310.69 Ul/L ± 38.10. The blood collected from the hornbills was then subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test using the ImmunoComb® Avian C. psittaci Antibody Test Kit to detect the immunoglobulin G antibodies against C. psittaci. Conclusion: The resulting hematological and serum biochemical values do not differ much from the close relatives of the avians. Moreover, the results of the ImmunoComb® presented positive results for all nine samples indicating the high occurrence that the birds were infected before and have now recovered.