The electrophoretic pattern of serum proteins in dogs with babesiosis

Abstract

This study was aimed at the evaluation of the electrophoretic pattern of serum proteins in dogs naturally infected with Babesia canis. Blood samples were collected from 37 dogs infected with B. canis and showing clinical signs consistent with the disease. The sick animals were classified as dogs with physiologic and decreased red blood cell (RBC) values. Twenty-five healthy dogs formed the control group. The concentrations of total proteins and protein fractions were measured in blood serum. The values of total proteins, albumin and albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio in dogs with babesiosis were significantly lower than in healthy ones (P < 0.001). In the globulin fractions, significantly higher relative concentrations of α1-, β1- and β2-globulins (P < 0.01), and non-significantly higher values of α2- and γ-globulins were found in dogs with babesiosis with a double α2-zone in six out of 37 animals. Marked differences were observed also between the two groups of sick animals, with significantly lower values of albumin and A/G ratio (P < 0.05), and significantly higher values of α1- and β1-globulins in dogs with decreased RBC (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Presented results indicate marked alterations in the electrophoretic pattern of serum proteins in dogs with babesiosis suggesting its usefulness for the evaluation of pathophysiological changes caused by the disease and for diagnostic of disease severity.

Differences in serum protein electrophoretic pattern in dogs naturally infected with Babesia gibsoni and Babesia canis

“…In the relative concentrations of β-globulins, no significant differences were observed between the dogs infected with B. gibsoni and all dogs with B. canis infection, except for β 1 -globulin fraction in complicated form of B. canis infection. The values were higher than those obtained by Tóthová et al 16 in clinically healthy dogs. The infection with Babesia parasites activates the mechanisms of the non-specific immune responses of the host, including the complement pathway with increased synthesis of complement components, especially C3a 45 , 46 .…”

“…The alterations in the serum protein electrophoretic pattern in dogs following natural infection with B. canis were studied previously by Maegraith et al 37 and Tella and Maegraith 38 , and recently by Lobetti et al 39 and Tóthová et al 16 , while a decrease in the relative concentrations of albumin was a typical finding in these studies. Furthermore, Tóthová et al 16 recorded significantly higher relative concentrations of α 1 -, β 1 - and β 2 -globulins, and non-significantly higher values of α 2 - and γ-globulins in the affected dogs with a double α 2 -zone in six from thirty-seven evaluated animals. On the other hand, the findings of the study conducted by Lobetti et al 39 showed in dogs with mild and severe babesiosis low total serum proteins, albumin, A/G ratio and α-globulins, whereas dogs with complicated babesiosis had no typical alterations in the serum protein pattern.…”

“…In response to inflammatory cytokine secretion, increased production of acute phase proteins, particularly C-reactive protein were found in dogs naturally infected with B. canis at the time of presentation to the veterinary hospital, and recently also in dogs experimentally infected with B. gibsoni 13 – 15 . Furthermore, the infection with B. canis in dogs may cause marked alterations also in the electrophoretic pattern of serum proteins 16 , but the changes in the protein pattern in dogs infected with B. gibsoni remain undetermined. Many studies presented in the literature concerning babesiosis in dogs are focused on the issues of pathogenesis, clinical picture, some hematological and biochemical parameters, therapy and prevention.…”

Co-infection of Trichuris vulpis and Toxocara canis in different aged dogs: Influence on the haematological indices

“…Also, a pronounced change in the serum biochemical parameters of infected dogs was an increase in the content of globulins α-1, α-2 and βfractions, which are essential proteins of the so-called "acute phase" (Tothova et al, 2019). Such changes characterize the body's fight against foreign agents in response to infection.…”