Evaluation of Serum Amyloid A and Haptoglobin in Dairy Cows Naturally Infected with Brucellosis

Abstract

Brucellosis is one of the most important zoonotic diseases worldwide, which is responsible for a debilitating disease in humans and a chronic infection in domestic animals. The aim of this study was to determine serum changes of two major acute phase proteins (Serum Amyloid A (SAA) and Haptoglobin (Hp)) levels in dairy cows naturally infected with brucellosis. The study included 25 dairy cows with brucellosis and 25 healthy cows. It was found that mean SAA levels (μg/ml) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in brucellosis cases (123.75 ± 12.64) as compared to values measured in the control group (32.92 ± 9.12). In addition, SAA levels measured in the positive cases correlated with the increase in antibody levels, both in 2-mercaptoethanol (2ME) and Wright tests. However, the analyses of the results between the evaluated groups did not show any significant differences in measured serum concentration of Hp (g/l) (P > 0.05). Our results suggested that some acute phase proteins are involved in the pathophysiology of brucellosis and are closely related to the inflammatory activation of the disease. In view of the present findings, it is suggested SAA may be used as an indicator for bovine brucellosis.