Relationship between Changes in Hematological Parameters, Levels of Acute Phase Proteins and Redox Homeostasis during Acute Babesia canis Infection in Dogs

Kristina Spariosu,Jelena Francuski Andrić,Svetlana Milanović,Anđelo Beletić,Milena Radaković,Filip Janjić,Milica Kovačević Filipović

doi:10.2478/acve-2021-0014

Kristina Spariosu, Jelena Francuski Andrić + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.2478/acve-2021-0014

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Abstract

Abstract Hemolysis and systemic acute inflammation characterize canine babesiosis caused by the intraerythrocytic protozoan parasite Babesia canis. Our hypothesis was that blood redox homeostasis of patients that suffered acute B. canis infection might be disturbed even after treatment with imidocarb-dipropionate and successful clinical recovery. Eight owner dogs with acute B. canis infection were used for this study. We analyzed the complete blood count, acute phase proteins (ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, paraoxonase-1) in the serum, antioxidant enzymes (catalase and glutathione peroxidase) in the erythrocytes, and oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde in erythrocytes and thiol groups in serum) at presentation and 15 days after treatment. Results were evaluated by corresponding statistical tests. At presentation, anemia, low/normal leukocyte count and severe thrombocytopenia occurred together with increased ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin levels within the reference interval, decreased paraoxonase-1 and compromised antioxidant defense in the red blood cells. After treatment and successful clinical recovery, hematological values generally fitted within the reference intervals, acute phase proteins were within the physiological levels in the majority of cases and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes were increased. However, elevated malondialdehyde levels indicated increased oxidative damage of erythrocytes that remained as a deleterious sequel despite a successful clinical recovery of the dogs.

Highlights

Babesia canis is a protozoan parasite which, upon invading red blood cells (RBCs), initiates events that lead to accelerated intravascular or extravascular hemolysis and Spariosu et al.: Relationship between changes in hematological parameters, levels of acute phase proteins and redox homeostasis during acute Babesia canis infection in dogs vigorous acute phase response (APR) [1]
The activity of CAT in RBCs was lower in the samples taken at presentation compared to those at clinical recovery (Figure 3.A), while glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity did not differ between these two points (Figure 3.B)
A strong positive correlation existed between GPx activity and MDA concentration in RBCs, and concentration of HPT in serum and hemoglobin concentration (HGB) level in the whole blood

Summary

Introduction

Babesia canis is a protozoan parasite which, upon invading red blood cells (RBCs), initiates events that lead to accelerated intravascular or extravascular hemolysis and Spariosu et al.: Relationship between changes in hematological parameters, levels of acute phase proteins and redox homeostasis during acute Babesia canis infection in dogs vigorous acute phase response (APR) [1]. Several reports indicate the importance of disturbed redox homeostasis in the pathogenesis of protozoan diseases [3,4,5]. Lipid peroxidation of RBCs’ membranes leads to increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes [6]. The overall oxidative stress in dogs with acute B. canis infection can determine the outcome of the disease [8]

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