Abstract
Objective:Coccidiosis is a protozoan infection that can result in hemorrhagic diarrhea, depression, weakness, weight loss, and even mortality in young animals. β-defensin-1 is an antimicrobial peptide produced largely by epithelial cells in the skin and mucosa. It possesses antifungal, antibacterial, antiparasitic, and antiviral properties. The goal of this study was to evaluate how β-defensin-1 levels changed in coccidiosis-infected calves.Materials and Methods:The sample included 10 coccidiosis-positive calves and 7 healthy calves, for a total of 17 calves of diverse breeds and older than 15 days. To assess the level of β-defensin-1, blood samples were obtained from the vena jugularis of the animals. The concentrations of β-defensin-1 in the serum were measured using a commercial ELISA kit.Results:Although the serum β-defensin-1 level decreased in infected animals, the drop was not statistically significant when compared to the control group.Conclusion:According to the study’s findings, there was no significant change in the serum β-defensin-1 level in coccidiosis-infected calves. We believe that it will be advantageous to conduct additional studies with a larger sample size in order to acquire more precise results.
Highlights
Coccidiosis is a protozoan disease that can result in hemorrhagic diarrhea, depression, weakening, weight loss, and sometimes death, especially in young animals caused by Eimeria (E.) zuernii, Eimeria bovis, and Eimeria aubornensis species of the Eimeriidae family [1,2]
Results: the serum β-defensin-1 level decreased in infected animals, the drop was not statistically significant when compared to the control group
The decrease in the levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), phosphorus (P), sodium (Na) (p < 0.005), glucose (GLU), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), (p < 0.05), and the increase in the level of total bilirubin (TBIL) (p < 0.05) were found statistically significant compared to the control group (Table 3)
Summary
Coccidiosis is a protozoan disease that can result in hemorrhagic diarrhea, depression, weakening, weight loss, and sometimes death, especially in young animals caused by Eimeria (E.) zuernii, Eimeria bovis, and Eimeria aubornensis species of the Eimeriidae family [1,2]. Coccidiosis is prevalent throughout the world, affecting primarily poultry and animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, dogs, cats, pigs, and rabbits [1,3]. Poor performance, increased susceptibility to other diseases, prevention and treatment costs are important economic losses due to coccidiosis, especially in breeding farms and calf breeding systems [1]. Infection occurs through taking sporulated Eimeria oocysts orally from water or feed [3,4]. Intestinal bleeding, diarrhea, fluid-electrolyte loss, hypoproteinemia, anemia, acidosis, shock, and secondary bacterial infections may result in death [6]
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