Serum Biochemical and Hematologic Values of Normal and Mycobacterium Bovis-Infected American Bison

Abstract

Abstract. Hematologic and serum biochemical tests were used to monitor the health of 3 groups of bison in an experimental study of tuberculosis. Bison were randomly assigned to Mycobacterium bovis-infected, M. bovis -sensitized, and uninfected control groups. Hematologic measurements included total and differential leukocyte counts, hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), fibrinogen, and plasma proteins. Biochemical tests included serum urea nitrogen, creatinine, aspartate amino transferase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, serum calcium, and serum phosphorus.There were no significant differences (P = 0.05) in any test values between groups of bison. The bison data were combined and compared to similar data of cattle. The mean values for PCV and Hb were higher than values (PCV 24-46%, Hb 8-l5 g/dl) for cattle. Mycobacterium bovis -infected bison had a slight increase in the number of blood monocytes and lymphocytes when compared to the uninfected bison but were within the normal ranges for bison and cattle. Other hematologic parameters were within normal ranges reported for cattle. Creatinine levels in all bison were above the normal range (1.0-l.5 mg/dl) for cattle. Phosphorus levels for M. bovis-infected and M. bovis -sensitized bison exceeded the normal range (5.6-8.0 mg/dl) reported for cattle. The level for uninfected bison was near the upper limit of normal for cattle. Mean values for other serum biochemical tests were within the normal ranges reported for cattle. Definitive information is not available comparing biochemical and hematologic values of normal andMycobacterium bovis -infected bison. Information on normal bison is limited to 1 collection from 2 herds of American bison in Kansas 3,7 and 1 collection from a European bison in the Bronx Zoo. l Because biochemical and hematologic values are widely used in evaluating the health status of animals, there is need for this information.The objective of the study reported here was to determine the serum biochemical and hematologic values of normal and M. bovis -infected American bison and to compare them with similar data of cattle. Materials and methodsAnimals. Eighteen yearling male and female bison, originating from a herd in which tuberculosis or paratuberculosis had not been diagnosed, were used. Also, the herd of origin had no positive reactions to the tuberculin skin test given during the year before the study was initiated. The bison Presented at the 31st Annual Meeting of the AAVLD, Little Rock, AR, October 15-l8, 1988.Received for publication October 17, 1988. were randomly divided into 3 groups of 6 animals. Bison to be inoculated with M. bovis were housed in an isolation facility with appropriate filters in the air supply and exhaust system. The other bison were maintained in a loose housing facility on another premise. Inoculations. Mycobacterium bovis isolated from a bison with tuberculosis was used. Details of the culture methods and inoculum preparation have been reported previously. 5,6 Group I bison each received 0.03 mg (wet weight) of M...

Immune Responses After Oral Inoculation of Weanling Bison or Beef Calves With a Bison or Cattle Isolate of Mycobacterium Avium Subsp. Paratuberculosis

“…Perhaps the immune cell populations that are traditionally stimulated by ConA, PWM, and PHAP in cattle are different in bison, leading to a different paradigm of immune response between the two species of ruminants. There is no published record of measurements of immune cell phenotype and specific function of T cell populations (CD4ϩ, CD8ϩ, natural killer cells, ␥␦ T cells) during disease states in bison that would help explain these data; however one study suggested that hematologic parameters are similar between bison and cattle (Miller et al, 1989). It is clear that PWM, a T-cell-dependent B-cell mitogen, was capable of inducing IFN-␥ production by PBMC from bison calves.…”

Serum biochemistry panels in African buffalo: Defining reference intervals and assessing variability across season, age and sex

“…Additionally, free ranging and captive animals often have dramatically different diets, which can be reflected in serum levels of essential minerals such as calcium and phosphorus [18–19]. Disease is more intensively controlled in captive animals than in free-living populations, and differences in disease management strategies could contribute to altered biochemical parameters [20]. As such, it is crucial to consider the complex influences of environment factors on the physiological status of wildlife when interpreting biochemical parameters for wild animals.…”

Mycobacterium bovis infection in cattle in Morocco: preparation and evaluation of chemical extracts for use in detection of immune responses

“…As to free living wild animal, bovine tuberculosis has been reported in Buffaloes, deer, oryxes, bison antelopes, ferrets. Monkeys and wild rodents such as rats and hares in many area of the world (90,110,144,171,199). Recently an outbreak of tuberculosis was diagnosed in badgers in Great Britain (145).…”

“…Because tuberculosis usually assumes a chronic course, evidence of disease is always lacking until the terminal stages when many organs are involved (110,199). The principal sign of tuberculosis is a chronic wasting or emaciation that develops despite good nutrition (144). Most tuberculosis in cattle affects the lungs and adjacent parts of the respiratory tract as the result of inhalation of tubercle bacilli (34,224).…”

“…The second limitation of the single intradermal test involves cattle which are not infected with M. bovis but do respond to the test (False positive) (71,110,144,180,226). The occurrence of non-specific responses is of great concern especially when tuberculosis is eradicated from a country, province or individual herd (110,180,226).…”