Evaluation of the erythrocytes and leucocyte alterations in cows infected with Theileria annulata

Abstract

The percentages of anemia, parasitemia and leucocyte changes were investigated in bovine theileriosis in the Northwest of Iran. The hematological values in 91 cows with theileriosis were compared with 19 healthy ones. The disease was confirmed by the presence of parasites in the peripheral blood smear test. Five mLs of blood from the jugular vein was collected and mixed with EDTA. Hematological parameters and parasitemia were assessed by current laboratory methods. The mean for hematocrit (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb), total leucocytes counts (WBC) and erythrocyte count (RBCs) were 22.1%, 6.8 mg/dL, 7075/μL and 4x106/μL, respectively. Mean total protein, absolute lymphocyte, neutrophil, eosiniphil counts, MCV, MCH and MCHC were 6.4 g/dL, 3898, 2746, 136/μL, 55.5 fl, 16.7 Pg and 30.5 g/dL, respectively. Mean concentrations for PCV, Hb, RBCs, and MCHC were significantly (p<0.05) lower and MCV was higher than the control group. To determine the severity of anemia in theileriosis, PCV was classified into cows without anemia (>24%), mild (20-23.99%), moderate (12-19.99%) and severe anemia (<11.99%). Therefore, the frequency and percentage of infected cows were 44 (48.4%), 14 (15.3%), 23 (25.3%) and 10 cases (11%), respectively (p<0.01). The percentages of parasitemia among 4 groups (1.23, 3.86, 9.64 and 34.2%, respectively) were also significantly (p<0.01) different. Among the indices under study, mean RBCs and Hb showed significant differences (p<0.01) in all types of anemia. The types of anemia were varied from normocytic hypochromic to macrocytic hypochromic. Negative correlations were found (p<0.01) between parasitemia/PCV (r=-0.74), parasitemia/Hb (r=-0.64) and parasitemia/RBCs (r=-0.63). It is concluded that anemia would be the main clinical sign in theileriosis. Type of anemia varied based on the severity of the anemia. Hematocrit, Hb, RBCs MCV and MCHC are the main indices affected in theileriosis. The majority of the infected cows were affected by moderate anemia except for 11%, in that they showed severe anemia with 34.2% parasitemia. Thus, the assessment of RBCs indices will lead to the prognosis and appropriate treatment strategies

Relationship between degree of anemia and blood gases in cattle with theileriosis

“…There was a reduction in the number of leukocytes, which were lowest in the severely anemic group of animals with theileriosis (25). A gradual increase in the level of WBC counts was detected in this study (Table 1); however, no statistically significant relationship was detected between WBC count and degree of anemia levels, similar to the results reported by Ramin et al (24). This implies that the increase in leukocyte levels can be considered as an indicator of disease progression or the deterioration of prognosis (26).…”

“…These results were parallel to those of other researchers (21,22), indicating that inflammatory responses (22) increased due to the disease or that lymphocyte proliferation (23) occurred in lymphoid organs to fight against protozoa invading the organism. There was no difference between the anemia groups as far as WBC levels concerned (24). There was a reduction in the number of leukocytes, which were lowest in the severely anemic group of animals with theileriosis (25).…”

Theileria annulata ile Doğal Enfekte Sığırlarda Serum Kobalt, Bakır, Demir, Kalsiyum, Fosfor ve Magnezyum Konsantrasyonlarının Değerlendirilmesi

“…With progression of parasitemia severity, a significant decrease in RBC count, PCV and Hb concentration was observed (P<0.05). These findings were similar to those of many researchers (3,15,16). The decline in RBC count, PCV and Hb concentration can also be attributed to multiplication of piroplasms in RBC which results in erythrolysis (2).…”

“…Significant changes in cattle infected with Theileria annulata were reported in several studies (3,(13)(14)(15)(16). In the present study; RBC count, PCV and Hb concentration in cattle with theileriosis were significantly lower than healthy ones (P<0.05).…”

The relation between hepcidin levels and hematologic parameters in cattle with theileriosis

“…In addition, decreased rumen motility and rumination and loss of appetite were found. These findings were similar to the clinical findings in cattle with theileriosis, as expressed by many investigators (3,27,36).…”