Deviations in Serum Proteins Associated with Eimeria bovis Infections in Calves

Abstract

In newborn Holstein-Friesian male calves undergoing experimental infections with Eimeria bovis decreases in serum albumin and total protein occurred beginning about 3 weeks after inoculation with sporulated oocysts. The alpha globulin increased slightly during this period while the beta and gamma fractions were essentially unaffected. The degree of change in the proteins was dependent upon the severity of the clinical symptoms, the most severe of which occurred during the 3rd, 4th, and 5th weeks after inoculation. Hereford female calves (7 to 8 months of age) and yearling HolsteinFriesian steers underwent serum protein changes resembling those of the Holstein-Friesian calves except that their beta and gamma globulins responded more markedly. Beta globulins increased with the alpha globulins, but to a lesser degree. The gamma globulins decreased during the period when symptoms were most severe. The serum proteins did not return to preinoculation levels until 6 to 8 weeks after the severe symptoms subsided. Serum albumin levels in uninfected newborn calves averagd 45%, alpha and beta globulins about 20% each, and gamma globulin 15%. The average total serum protein was 5.2 g/100 ml. In Hereford female calves and yearling HolsteinFriesian steers, the serum albumin was about 60%, the alpha and beta globulins 10% each, the gamma globulins 20% and the total serum protein 6.4 g/100 ml. Investigations of the effects of protozoan parasites on the serum proteins of mammals have dealt principally with those inhabiting the bloodstream or the cutaneous tissue, although a few accounts of the alterations resulting from gastrointestinal infections have been reported. Infections with Plasmodium sp. were among the first protozoan diseases to be investigated electrophoretically. Taylor et al. (1949), investigating the electrophoretic picture of human blood serum proteins from individuals suffering from malaria, observed significant decreases in albumin and an increase in gamma globulin with essentially no change in total protein. Dole et al. (1945) reported similar alterations in human malaria patients, but he also observed decreases in total protein concurrent with the decline in albumin. Schinazi (1957) observed decreases in the albumin concurrent with increases in globulins in avian malaria. Dimopoullos et al. (1960) observed a reduction in total serum protein and decreases in all serum fractions in calves 5 days after inoculation with Anaplasma marginale. HowReceived for publication 7 August 1963. 42 ever, when Anaplasma bodies were most numerous in the erythrocytes, the total proteins increased. Rossan (1960) infected small laboratory animals with Leishmania donovani and observed hypoalbuminemia and hypergammaglobulinemia as infections developed. Comer et al. (1956) investigated the effects of amebic dysentery, caused by E. histolytica, on the plasma proteins of dogs. They observed slight reductions in total protein and albumin. The globulins were presumably not significantly affected. Atchley et al. (1961) observed similar results in guinea pigs, but found globulins increased. Schlueter (1959) observed a drop in both serum albumin and globulin levels in chickens infected with cecal coccidiosis (E. tenella). Dunlap et al. (1959), investigating the effects of E. stiedae infections on rabbits, observed a significant increase in both beta and gamma globulins, but no significant change in the serum albumin or total protein levels. In cattle the coccidial organism typically attacks only the digestive tract. As far as is known, the vascular system is not directly involved. Severe gastrointestinal disturbances, in which blood, mucus, and intestinal epitheThis content downloaded from 157.55.39.127 on Wed, 29 Jun 2016 03:53:28 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms FITZGERALD-SERUM PROTEINS AND EIMERIA BOVIS 43 Weeks 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 18 19 20 21 Samples 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Date 11/19 11/24 12/3 12/10 12/17 12/22 12/28 12/30 1/4 1/12 1/26 2/27 3/1 3/2 3/3 3/4 3/5 3/8 3/17 I l Inoculate with Challenge inoculation sporulated oocysts sporulated oocysts Group 1 .... 2/13