Abstract
Serum samples collected from 37 clinically normal bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus) and 13 abnormal bongo were tested using assays for acute-phase proteins (APPs) and by protein electrophoresis. Abnormal bongo samples (n = 27) had significantly higher levels of fibrinogen (FIB) (p < 0.001) and trending but not significantly increased haptoglobin (HP) (p = 0.07) vs. samples from normal bongo (n = 37). There were no significant differences in values for total white blood cell counts or for any of the fractions determined by protein electrophoresis. Clinically normal female bongo (n = 19) had significantly lower levels of FIB than normal males (n = 18) (p = 0.014), and this observation was also made with samples from the clinically abnormal group (p = 0.004). Many weak to moderate significant correlations were observed with increasing age, including increased globulins, FIB, and HP and decreased albumin-to-globulin (A/G) ratio and albumin. In clinical cases reviewed in this study, mild HP changes categorized this reactant as a minor APP, which contrasts with the major APP classification of HP in the related species of the cow. The preliminary data indicate that the quantitation of these APPs may offer value in assessing inflammation in this species, but additional studies are needed.
Highlights
The acute-phase response is a key part of the innate immune system involving the expression of acute-phase proteins (APPs), which are recognized as biomarkers of inflammation [1]
Preliminary reference intervals (RIs) were generated for electrophoresis fractions and HP (Table 1)
APP values and electrophoresis fractions were examined in clinically abnormal bongos (Table 2)
Summary
The acute-phase response is a key part of the innate immune system involving the expression of acute-phase proteins (APPs), which are recognized as biomarkers of inflammation [1]. Quantitation of APPs has been demonstrated to aid in the detection and prognostication of various diseases and inflammatory conditions in companion and large animals [2,3,4]. APPs can be evaluated in the clinical laboratory using serum protein electrophoresis methods and specific assays for individual proteins. The protein electrophoretogram is believed to reflect over 200 APPs via the migration of different globulin fractions as well as the valid quantitation of albumin [10]. Major APPs increase by 100–1,000-fold within 48 h and decline rapidly during recovery. Moderate APPs increase 5–10-fold within 2–3 days and decline more slowly. The specific APPs and the magnitude of the increase vary depending on the species, necessitating basic investigations to evaluate methods and obtain evidence-based validation of APP assays [2, 11]
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