Evaluation of Serum Iron and Ferritin Levels as Inflammatory Markers in Calves with Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex

Abstract

Iron and ferritin have been used in human medicine for years to reveal the presence of inflammation. However, studies evaluating these parameters, especially in respiratory system diseases, are quite rare in veterinary medicine. We aimed to test the usability of serum Fe and Fe-related parameters [total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC) and transferrin saturation (TS) levels] as inflammatory and diagnostic biomarkers in calves with bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC). To mark inflammation, some selected acute-phase proteins including serum ferritin and transferrin levels were measured because of their close relationship with iron metabolism. The material of this study consisted of 15 calves, aged 1-3 months with BRDC (Group I) and 10 healthy calves aged 1-3 months (Group II) based on the presence of respiratory clinical findings. Serum Fe, TIBC and TS levels were low and ferritin levels were high in Group I (P ≤ 0.001). The BRDC group was separated into two subgroups based on PCR results, namely Virus+ (n=9) and Virus- (n=6). The calves in the Virus+ group had significantly lower levels of Fe (P=0.001) and significantly higher values of ferritin (P=0.002), compared to the healthy group. On the basis of inter-group comparison and ROC analysis, we concluded that Fe (primarily), ferritin, TIBC and TS levels can be used as inflammatory biomarkers and possible diagnostic markers in the BRDC as useful, practical, inexpensive substitutes. As a suggestion, these parameters which are believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease, can be used as potential prognostic biomarkers in studies involving treatment.

Differential diagnostic value of serum procalcitonin and iron levels in diarrheic neonatal calves caused by Escherichia coli and rotavirus

“…We argue that PCT can be used effectively in diagnosing bacterial infections in calf diarrhea and as a marker to guide antibiotic therapy. Serum Fe levels tend to decline as infection severity rises and hence can be used as a marker for inflammation (Baydar and Dabak 2014, Değirmençay et al 2022, Tsukano et al 2020…”

“…This decrease has been explained as the body's defense mechanism to limit the use of serum Fe by pathogens and tumors (Weinberg and Miklossy 2008). Serum Fe concentration has been evaluated as an inflammatory biomarker in dogs, cats (Neumann 2003), horses (Borges et al 2007), and cattle (Baydar and Dabak 2014, Değirmençay et al 2022, Kirbas et al 2019, Yurdakul and Aydoğdu 2020. Fe levels are reduced not only in bacterial infections (Borges et al 2007), but also in viral infections (Değirmençay et al 2022, Zhao et al 2020) and non-infectious inflammations (Tsukano et al 2019).…”

“…Serum Fe concentration has been evaluated as an inflammatory biomarker in dogs, cats (Neumann 2003), horses (Borges et al 2007), and cattle (Baydar and Dabak 2014, Değirmençay et al 2022, Kirbas et al 2019, Yurdakul and Aydoğdu 2020. Fe levels are reduced not only in bacterial infections (Borges et al 2007), but also in viral infections (Değirmençay et al 2022, Zhao et al 2020) and non-infectious inflammations (Tsukano et al 2019). Serum PCT levels are highly elevated in bacterial infections, and gram-negative bacteria cause an even more significant increase in PCT levels (Zhao et al 2020).…”