Investigation of hemogram, oxidative stress, and some inflammatory marker levels in neonatal calves with escherichia coli and coronavirus diarrhea

Abstract

Calf diarrhea is the most common disease affecting calves in the neonatal period resulting in economic losses. Although predisposing factors play a role in the etiology of the disease, in most cases, different pathogens are involved in the development of the infection. In this study, hemogram data, glutathione and malondialdehyde levels were examined to determine lipid peroxidation and glutathione levels in E. coli- and coronavirus-infected calves. Serum amyloid A and calprotectin levels were also analyzed to determine inflammatory status. The study included a total of 45 female Montofon calves aged 0–1 week, including the E. coli group (15 calves), the coronavirus group (15 calves), and the control group (15 calves). Analysis revealed that total leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, malondialdehyde, serum amyloid A, and calprotectin levels increased in the coronavirus-infected calves compared with the E. coli group and the control group. In contrast, the levels of glutathione, one of the antioxidant markers, decreased. In conclusion, the main findings related to the determination of inflammation and oxidative status were characterized by the presence of E. coli and coronavirus diarrhea, and it is suggested that future studies may be guided by the fact that inflammatory conditions are higher in viral disease than in bacterial infection.