Hematological Changes Research Articles

Effects of Nickel Bioaccumulation on Hematological, Biochemical, Immune Responses, Neuroinflammatory, Oxidative Stress Parameters, and Neurotoxicity in Rats.

Nickel (Ni) exposure is linked to numerous health issues, including dermatitis, immunotoxicity, and cancer. Emerging evidence suggests Ni may cross the blood-brain barrier, accumulating in the brain and causing neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and neuronal apoptosis. Herein, we investigated the effect of Ni exposure through the intraperitoneal route, studying the Ni effect in subacute and chronic toxicity, on various health parameters in Wistar rats. Rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 per group): two groups received a daily intraperitoneal injection of NiCl₂ at a dose of 0.25mg/kg for subacute (21days) or chronic (60days) exposure periods, while the other two groups were treated with NaCl solution (0.9%) as a control for equivalent durations. The study assessed behavioral, biochemical, hematological, immunological, neurobiochemical, and histopathological effects over 21 and 60days. Neurobehavioral tests, blood and tissue analyses, and organ examinations were conducted. This study demonstrates that Ni bioaccumulation in subacute and chronic exposure has significant health impacts in Wistar rats, including hematological, immunological, biochemical, AchE activity, neuroinflammatory, oxidative stress, and neurobehavioral changes. Chronic exposure results in higher Ni accumulation, particularly in the brain, causing neurotoxicity, inflammation, and behavioral disorders such as anxiety, depression, and memory impairment. The findings highlight the importance of limiting Ni exposure to prevent adverse health effects.

Co-Administration of Hibiscus sabdariffa linn and Daflon-500® mitigates weight loss, hyperglycemia, hematological and oxidative changes in male rats with type-2 diabetes

BackgroundDiabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disorder associated with persistent hyperglycemia and metabolic imbalance. Flavonoid compounds possess notable qualities in mitigating diabetes and its complications. AimHibiscus sabdariffa linn and daflon-500® were assessed for their effects on body weight, blood glucose/indices, and oxidative changes in type-2 diabetes rats over 28 days. Methods35 male rats were randomly divided into seven groups (n=5). Diabetes mellitus was induced in groups 2-7 via a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 55mg/kg). Group 1(DW) received distilled water (2mL/kg) only. Group 2 (STZ; untreated), group 3 {MET; metformin (200mg/kg)}, group 4 {HS; Hibiscus sabdariffa (400mg/kg)}, group 5 {DAF; daflon-500® (1000mg/kg)}, group 6 {DAF+HS; daflon-500® (1000mg/kg) and Hibiscus sabdariffa (400mg/kg)}, group 7 {DAF+MET+HS; daflon-500® (1000mg/kg), metformin (200mg/kg), and Hibiscus sabdariffa (400mg/kg)}. Body weight and blood glucose were assessed fortnightly. Blood and hepatic/pancreatic tissues were collected for hematological and antioxidant testing. ResultsGroups 2-7 revealed a significant (P<0.05) decrease in body weight on day 14 compared to the increased growth rate observed on day 28 (Group 7).Blood glucose levels significantly increased on days 1 and 14 in groups 2-7 but declined on day 28 in groups 4-7. Significantly higher packed cell volume, hemoglobin levels, red blood cell counts, lymphocytes, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin were observed in groups 5-7. Platelet counts were higher in Groups 2 and 5. Untreated group 2 exhibited considerably reduced catalase activity, glutathione, and malondialdehyde concentrations compared to the treated groups. ConclusionHibiscus sabdariffa linn and Daflon-500® expressed substantial hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and hemato-protective effects.

Diagnostic Biochemical Changes Identified in a Cohort of Patients with Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) Disease

Backgroun: SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with inflammatory, metabolic, haematological, and immunological changes, which contributed to the increase in morbidity and mortality. Objective: To illustrate changes in some biomarkers (ESR, ferritin, CRP, D. dimer, ALT, AST, creatinine, and urea) during COVID-19 and their predictive value in the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially in rural and urban areas in which sophisticated tests were not available. Materials and Methods: The study includes 154 COVID-19 patients with positive RT-PCR. Sixty age and sex-matched individuals were included as controls. The study was conducted during the period from 23rd July 2021 to the end of December 2021. The subjects with a history of liver diseases, pregnant women, an age of less than 18, and chronic renal failure were excluded. The informed consent was taken from each individual before their enrolment in the study. The study was performed in compliance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki. Venous blood samples were collected from both groups and tested for determination of creatinine, urea, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), D dimer, ferritin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) using a Mindray BS 240 chemical auto-analyzer. Results: The mean serum values were significantly higher (P= 0.01 – 0.001) in COVID-19 patients as compared to matched controls for creatinine, blood urea, ALT, AST, ESR, LDH, D- dimer, ferritin, and CRP. In addition, the mean serum levels of ALT, AST, ESR, LDH, D-dimer, ferritin, and CRP were higher than the values of normal ranges. Although, creatinine and urea mean serum values were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients, their mean values were within the normal range values. ESR was highly significantly (p &lt; 0.001) correlated with ALT, AST, LDH, urea, ferritin, and CRP. While LDH was highly significantly correlated with creatinine, urea, ESR, ferritin, and CRP. Also, D. dimer was significantly highly correlated with ferritin, and CRP. Serum ferritin was highly significantly correlated with creatinine, urea, ESR, LDH, D. dimer, and CRP. While CRP was highly significantly correlated with creatinine, urea, ESR, LDH, D. dimer, and ferritin. Conclusion: ESR, CRP, Ferritin, D. dimer, LDH, AST, ALT, urea, and Creatinine levels in venous blood were significantly elevated in COVID-19 patients compared with controls. Sex- influenced serum levels of C-reactive protein, creatinine, and urea in this study cohort. Serum levels of tested biomarkers may be useful in the diagnosis of COVID-19 in primary healthcare centres, especially in rural areas in developing countries.

Predicting Postoperative Infection After Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy with Splenectomy.

Hematologic changes after splenectomy and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) can complicate postoperative assessment of infection. This study aimed to develop a machine-learning model to predict postoperative infection after cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and HIPEC with splenectomy. The study enrolled patients in the national TriNetX database and at the Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH) who underwent splenectomy during CRS/HIPEC from 2010 to 2024. Demographics, comorbidities, vital signs, daily laboratory values, and documented infections were collected. The patients were divided into infected and non-infected cohorts within 14 days postoperatively. Extreme gradient boost (XGBoost) machine-learning was used to predict postoperative infection. An initial model was generated using the TriNetX dataset and externally validated in the JHH cohort. From TriNetX, 1016 patients were included: 802 in the non-infected group (79%) and 214 (21%) in the postoperative infection group. The mean age was 61 ± 13 years, and 597 (56%) of the patientswere female. Most of the patients underwent CRS/HIPEC with splenectomy for appendiceal cancer (n = 590, 56%), followed by colorectal malignancy (n = 299, 29%). The remainder (n = 127, 15%) underwent CRS/HIPEC with splenectomy for gastric, pancreatic, ovarian, and small bowel malignancies or peritoneal mesothelioma. In detecting any infection, XGBoost exhibited excellent prediction accuracy (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC], 0.910 ± 0.073; F1 score, 0.915 ± 0.040) and retained high accuracy upon external validation with 96 demographically similar JHH patients (AUC, 0.823 ± 0.08; F1 score, 0.864 ± 0.03). A novel machine-learning algorithm was developed to predict postoperative infection after CRS/HIPEC with splenectomy that could aid in the early diagnosis and initiation of treatment.

Histological Changes in the Lungs and some Haematological and Biochemical Changes in Wistar Rats Following Exposure to Fly Ash Dust

Background: Fly ash dust is a harmful air pollutant that poses a major environmental and health risk. Previous research has linked fly ash dust to respiratory tract disease but its effects on the lung are not well understood. We aimed at investigating body weight, lung histoarchitecture, and haematological and biochemical changes in Wistar rats exposed to fly ash dust. Methods:Twenty-four Wistar rats (12 males, 12 females), weighing 250g-280g, were randomly assigned into 4 groups of 6 animals each. Group A rats were placed in a fly ash dust-free chamber while Group B - D rats were exposed to various concentrations of fly ash dust dispersed from 5g, 10g and 20g of fly ash, respectively. The weights of the animals were recorded weekly and body weight gain computed. At the end of 28th day of exposure, the rats were weighed and euthanized under chloroform anaesthesia. Blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture into plain specimen bottles for biochemical analysis and into EDTA anticoagulant bottles for haematological analysis. The lungs were harvested and processed for histological examination. The obtained data were analyzed using the one-way Analysis of Variance, with level of significance set at P&lt;0.05. Results: Exposure to fly ash dust caused significantly reduced weight gain and haematological alterations in rats including decreased lymphocytes, haemoglobin, and red blood cells. Biochemical analysis revealed increased manganese, urea, and creatinine levels, indicative of manganese poisoning and renal impairment. Additionally, low serum bicarbonate (HCO3-) levels suggested acidosis. Histopathological examination confirmed normal lung architecture in the control group. There were observable histological variations in the lung architecture of the exposed rats (Groups B-D) which include bronchiolar ulceration, activated lymphoid follicles, and patchy alveolar collapse (evidence of pneumonitis). Given the similar biological responses, these effects of fly ash dust on rats can be reasonably extrapolated to humans, highlighting the importance of protective measures for individual occupationally exposed to fly ash dust. Conclusion: Fly ash dust caused body weight loss, histopathological changes in lung tissue, haematological and biochemical derangements which are capable of compromising lung, haematological, biochemical and renal functions, potentially resulting in fatal outcomes.

Etodolac Single Dose Metabolic Profile Elucidation: Pharmacokinetics and Adverse Events in Healthy Volunteers.

This study investigates the metabolic profile of a single dose of etodolac in healthy volunteers, focusing on pharmacokinetics, clinical parameters, and metabolomic variations to identify biomarkers and pathways linked to drug response, efficacy, and safety. Thirty-seven healthy volunteers, enrolled after rigorous health assessments, received a single dose of etodolac (Flancox® 500 mg). Pharmacokinetic profiles were determined using tandem mass spectrometry analysis, and the metabolomic profiling was conducted using baseline samples (pre-dose) and samples at maximum drug concentration (post-dose) via liquid chromatography coupled with a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Network analysis was employed to interpret the data. Correlations were observed between metabolomic profiles and pharmacokinetic parameters as well as clinical characteristics. Notably, metabolites derived from arachidonic acid, such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes, were linked to etodolac's pharmacokinetics. Other metabolites involved in pathways like cholesterol biosynthesis, bile salts, riboflavin, and retinoic acid signaling were correlated with hematological and liver function parameters. These findings are consistent with the infrequent adverse events reported by participants, including hematological and biochemical changes in liver function. A set of metabolites was identified in possible associations between specific pathways and unusual side effects, comparing the metabolic profiles before and after doses of etodolac. Our results highlight the importance of optimizing drug therapy and minimizing adverse events by taking into account individual metabolic profile information.

Hematological and Serum Chemistry of Canine Parvoviral Enteritis in Diverse Breeds of Dogs

Canine Parvovirus enteritis (CPV-2) is a highly infectious viral disease occurring in puppies resulting in high mortality with a myriad of clinical signs, hematological and biochemical changes during the progression of the disease. This study investigated hematological and biochemical changes in 30 CPV-positive dogs in Ibadan, Nigeria. Severe non-regenerative anemia (35.71%) and leukopenia (22 cases) were prevalent. Thrombocytopenia was severe in 73.33% of cases. Further analysis revealed normocytic hypochromic anemia in 42.86%, microcytic hypochromic anemia in 28.57%, and leukopenia categorized as mild (5), moderate (12), or severe (5). Biochemical changes included hyperproteinemia (26.7%), hyperalbuminemia, hyperglobulinemia, and elevated liver enzymes in some cases. Renal dysfunction was evident in 16.7% of dogs with elevated creatinine. Significant differences (p&lt;0.05) were observed between infected and healthy dogs. These findings underscore the critical impact of CPV on hematological and biochemical profiles, necessitating supportive care and emphasizing the crucial role of vaccination in disease prevention.

Environmental and biological measurements of the anesthetic isoflurane and its possible toxic effects in veterinarians.

We evaluated both environmental (workplace) and biological (urine) exposure to the anesthetic isoflurane concerning the effects of such exposure on the hematological, hepatic, and renal parameters in veterinarians. Samples were collected from exposed and nonexposed (volunteers) groups to assess hematological and several biochemical markers, and isoflurane was measured in the workplace air and veterinarian's urine. Isoflurane was detected at high levels in the air and urine. No differences were observed in hematological parameters between the groups, although the number of monocytes increased among veterinarians, values were within the normal range. No significant differences were found in the hepatic enzymes or renal parameters between the groups, and all marker levels were within the normal range. In conclusion, urinary isoflurane is a suitable internal biomarker for monitoring occupational exposure and is associated with veterinary workplace measurements, and that occupational exposure is not associated with abnormal hematological or biochemical changes in veterinarians.

Respiratory and hematological physiology of day 15 chicken embryos (Gallus gallus domesticus) during water submergence and air recovery: Implications for bird embryos experiencing nest inundation.

Bird nests of coastal or inland breeding birds can temporarily flood during high tides or storms. However, respiratory physiological disruption of such water submersion and implications for post-submergence survival are poorly understood. We hypothesized that respiratory physiological disturbances caused by submersion would be rapidly corrected following return to normal gas exchange across the eggshell, thus explaining survival of nest inundation in the field. We further hypothesized that the chicken embryo prior to hatching will develop the ability to recover from acid-base disturbance. We exposed day 15 embryonated chicken eggs (a well-studied point 3/4 through development) to half- or full submersion in water (producing moderate and severe hypoxia, respectively) or in mineral oil (anoxia) for periods of 2-24h to create varying degrees of submersion-related respiratory and acid-base disturbances. Egg submergence was followed by up to six hours in air to determine the extent and rate of physiological recovery. Arterialized blood PO2 and [lactate], acid-base and hematology were measured at frequent intervals (5min to 2h depending on tested variable) both during submersion and air recovery. Submersion in mineral oil - eliminating all gas exchange - proved lethal at two hours. Yet, calculated embryonic oxygen stores suggest submerged embryos should be able to maintain pre-submergence oxygen consumption for only ∼15 mins, suggesting a possibly adaptive immediate decline in metabolism upon submergence. Half- or full submergence in water created blood acid-base disturbances within as little as 5min, with partial recovery towards the end of 24h of submergence. Six hours of subsequent air recovery fully restored acid-base homeostasis. Hematological changes that appeared within 5min of submersion - primarily red blood cell swelling - were eliminated within 1h following return to air. Importantly, these data indicate a surprising resilience of the chicken embryo to temporary elimination of normal gas exchange which, if evident in other species, provides underlying mechanisms for surviving nest inundation.

Enzymic Activity, Metabolites, and Hematological Responses Changes of Clinical Healthy High-Risk Beef Calves During Their First 56-Days from Arrival.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in enzymic activity, metabolites, and hematological responses during the first 56-d of arrival of newly received calves, which were qualified at reception as high-risk but diagnosed as clinically healthy. A total of 320 blood samples were taken from 64 crossbred bull calves (average initial body weight = 148.3 ± 1.3 kg) at different times from arrival (d 0, 14, 28, 42, and 56 of received). Calves included in the study were received in June (n = 20), November (n = 24), and April (n = 20); thus, experimental treatments were arranged in a generalized complete block design (three blocks = month of arrival). The following parameters were determined: total white blood cells (WBC): lymphocytes (LYM), lymphocytes % (LYM%), monocytes (MON), monocytes % (MON%), granulocytes (GRA), granulocytes % (GRA%), platelets (PLT), and mean platelet volume (MPV); red blood cells (RBC): red blood cell distribution width test % (RDW%), hematocrit (HCT), and mean corpuscular volume (MCV); hemoglobin (HGB): mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). The enzymatic activity and metabolites analyzed were alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), globulin (GLO), ALB/GLO ratio, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (CRE), total bilirubin (TBIL), total cholesterol (TCHO), triglycerides (TG); (4) calcium (Ca), glucose (GLU), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), and chlorine (Cl-). It was observed that ALP, ALT, TP, ALB, GLO, ALB/GLO ratio, TCHO, TG, Ca, and GLU increased as days from reception increased (linear effect, p ≤ 0.04), whereas CRE and TBIL were reduced (linear effect, p ≤ 0.02). A quadratic response (p ≤ 0.001) was observed to GGT and AST values being maximal on days 1 and 56 after arrival (p ≤ 0.001). Na+, K+, and Cl- concentrations were not affected by prolonged days after arrival. Finally, blood cells of LYM, LYM%, PLT, RBC, HGB, HCT%, MCV, and MCH increased (linear effect, p ≤ 0.001) as the number of days after arrival increased. Whereas MON% was linearly decreased (p ≤ 0.05). It was concluded that even when all parameters were within the range of reference intervals (RIs) determined for healthy cattle, during the period of monitoring, as the days after arrival lengthened, blood serum parameters related to health and immunity increased, and metabolites related to tissue injury decreased. In contrast, plasmatic electrolytes (Na+, K+, and Cl-) were slightly reduced as the day after arrival increased. Apparently, at least 42 d is the minimum period after arrival to permit calves to reach more adequate physiological and metabolic conditions before starting the fattening phase.

Peptide fibrils as a vaccine: Proof of concept.

Rapid vaccine platforms development is crucial for responding to epidemics and pandemics of emerging infectious diseases, such as Ebola. This study explores the potential of peptide vaccines that self-organize into amyloid-like fibrils, aiming to enhance immunogenicity while considering safety and cross-reactivity. We synthesized two peptides, G33 and G31, corresponding to a segment of the Ebola virus GP2 protein, with G33 known to form amyloid-like fibrils. Their toxicity was assessed in vitro using an MTT assay on MDCK and A549 cell cultures. For in vivo studies, balb/c mice were immunized with these peptides. Immunogenicity was gauged by ELISA for specific antibodies against the recombinant eGP protein. Hematological parameters were determined, and histopathological changes in organs were documented post-euthanasia. Both peptides exhibited no cytotoxicity up to 500μg/mL. G33-immunized mice developed higher antibody titers than those receiving G31 or control, without significant alterations in hematological profiles. However, histological analysis showed periportal infiltration and lymphoid-macrophage clusters in the liver and kidneys, suggesting immune response activation. The homology between the G33 peptide and mammalian proteins poses risks of cross-reactivity. The amyloid-like fibrils formed by the G33 peptide elicited a stronger immune response without significant hematological changes, underlining the feasibility of fibril-based peptide vaccines. However, the potential for autoimmune responses due to molecular mimicry warrants further investigation before clinical applications can be considered.

Essential oil and aqueous extract of basil (Ocimum basilicum) in the diet of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus).

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Ocimum basilicum supplementation in the diet for Piaractus mesopotamicus regarding productive performance, intestinal morphology, muscle residue, and hematological changes after simulated transport stress. Juvenile (23 g±0.08, n = 180) were stocked into 300-L tanks in three treatments and six replicates each: a control diet (not supplemented), a diet with 0.5% essential oil of O. basilicum and a diet with 0.5% aqueous extract of O. basilicum. After 45 days, weight and length were measured, and the fish were submitted to a 4-hour simulated transport to assess the stress responses and the possible effects of the experimental diets on them. The main components of the essential oil were methyl chavicol (70.81%) and linalool (22.04%), while the aqueous extract contained tannin levels of 262.59±24 mg kg-1. The retention rate of the essential oil was about 50%, while the aqueous extract retention varied between 77 and 82%. The results showed no significant effect of basil on the productive performance of the fish. Fish supplemented with the aqueous extract exhibited a lower intestinal mucosal height compared to other groups. Additionally, transported fish showed increased blood glucose concentrations even higher in fish supplemented with the aqueous extract. It was concluded that supplementation with 0.5% basil, either as essential oil or aqueous extract, did not benefit productive performance, intestinal morphology, or reduce transport stress in pacu.

Non‐clinical safety of PST‐611, non‐viral vectorized human transferrin, for the treatment of geographic atrophy (GA)

Aims/Purpose: Complement inhibitors slightly reduce geographic atrophy (GA) lesion growth, yet vision loss prevention remains a challenge. Iron overload worsens retinal diseases like age‐related macular degeneration (AMD), and Transferrin (Tf) supplementation mitigates iron‐induced toxicity, offering a promising therapy for GA (Picard 2015). To avoid repeated intravitreal Tf injections, we developed a non‐viral vectorized delivery platform via electrotransfection of the ciliary muscle, acting as a biofactory for sustained therapeutic protein production in the eye (Bigot 2020). We evaluated the safety and biodistribution of PST‐611, a DNA plasmid coding for human Tf.Methods: New Zealand White rabbits were divided into two treatment groups (45 μg and 150 μg/eye) and one control group. Part 1 animals received a single administration of PST‐611 or vehicle with a 30‐day follow‐up. Part 2 animals received repeated administration at the same doses with a 6‐month interval and were followed for up to 3 months after the second treatment.Results: No mortality, abnormal clinical signs, changes in body weight, temperature, or food intake were observed. No significant changes in blood chemistry, hematology, or systemic microscopic findings were found in PST‐611‐treated rabbits. PST‐611 caused no adverse ocular effects. The plasmid primarily localized in the ciliary muscle, with dose‐related levels persisting up to at least 30 days and 3 months after single and repeat doses, respectively. Lower levels were detected in nearby ocular tissues. No systemic exposure was observed. Human Tf was not detected in serum but was present in the vitreous of treated animals at almost all time points.Conclusions: PST‐611, administered via a minimally invasive proprietary delivery system, demonstrated safety. Following single and repeated administration, PST‐611 localized primarily in the ciliary muscle with ocular exposure to human Tf up to at least 3 months after the repeat dose. The favorable safety profile of PST‐611 supports its further clinical development for GA patients.References Picard et al. Free Radic Biol Med (2105) 89: 1105‐21; Bigot et al. Pharmaceuticals (2020) 12(9): 836

Ovine Toxoplasmosis Sero-Status, Risk Factors Analysis, and Estimation of Haematological and Serum Biochemical Alterations.

Toxoplasmosis is a significant food-borne protozoal disease in humans and animals. The study aimed to find out Toxoplasma seropositivity in sheep, estimate epidemiological risk factors and assess haemato-biochemical parameter changes. Blood samples were collected from 276 indigenous sheep in five districts surrounding Sulaymaniyah Province in the northern region of Iraq. Toxoplasmosis was determined by detecting anti-Toxoplasma antibodies by ELISA. The impact of various risk factors on seropositivity was evaluated. Haematological and serum biochemical changes from naturally infected sheep were analysed using commercial kits. The overall seroprevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies among the studied population was 41.67%. Sharazoor district had a higher prevalence rate of 46.15% than Bakrajo, with the lowest frequency rate of 38.18%. Ewes with an abortion history had a higher risk for seropositivity of about 47.4% (OR=1.4, 95% CI: 0.9-1.6). Sampling season and herd size are other risk factors, with higher seropositivity at 42.5% (OR=1.1, 95% CI: 0.8-1.4) during the dry season and among small flocks ≤100 animals/farm at 43.6% (OR=1.1, 95% CI: 0.7-1.4). Toxoplasma prevalence was correlated with animals' ages; a higher seropositivity of 43.3% was found among older sheep (OR=0.8, 95% CI: 0.6-1.2). Seropositive sheep had significantly higher total leukocyte, lymphocyte and granulocyte counts but significantly lower haemoglobin, haematocrit and total erythrocyte counts. The serum levels of total protein and albumin were significantly reduced, with increased blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations. Also, AST enzyme activity represents a higher value in positive sheep with toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasma infection among the ovine population is common. Its impact on livestock productivity should not be neglected. A potential risk for humans through infected sheep could be a hazardous source for public health.

Evaluation of Clinical and Hematological Effect of Xylazine-Ketamine and Xylazine-Atropine in Rabbit

This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical and hematological changes during Xylazine-Ketamine (XK) and Xylazine-atropine (XA) anesthesia in rabbits. Ten healthy and well-fed Rabbits of 1.6 to 2.0 kg BW were selected and divided into two groups: Group I (XK) and Group II (XA). Rabbits in Group I (n=5) were anesthetized with a combination of Xylazine HCl @ 5 mg/kg BW (IM) and Ketamine HCl @ 35 mg/kg BW (IM), whereas Xylazine HCl @ 5 mg/kg BW (IM) and Atropine Sulphate @ 0.2 mg/kg BW (IM) were used for anesthesia in Group II (n=5). In both groups, various clinical parameters like heart rate, respiration rate and temperature were collected from the rabbits before induction of anesthetic agents (control) and thereafter on 15, 30, 45, 60,75, and 90 minutes of post-induction and blood parameters at 0 minute and 30 minutes to evaluate hematological changes. In addition, clinical changes in temperature, respiration and heart rate were also assessed in both groups. RBC, Hb, MCV, MCH and MCHC were decreased significantly (p&lt;0.05) in Group I(XK), temperature, respiration and heart rate were decreased significantly (p&lt;0.05) in both groups during the experiment. There were no significant differences in lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocyte, HCT, platelets values from baseline in group I(XK) and Group II(XA). The rabbits recovered from anesthesia uneventfully. This result showed that the combination of Xylazine and Ketamine would give better anesthetic results in terms of clinical and hematological parameter and general anesthesia compare to Xylazine and Atropine in healthy rabbits. Rabbits should be carefully monitored by the veterinarians during surgical interventions to avoid anesthesia-related risks and complications.

Effect of Praziquantel on Preventing Delayed Infection of Schistosoma japonicum in Buffaloes and Goats.

Schistosomiasis, caused by Schistosoma japonicum, continues to pose a major public health threat in East Asia, with an estimated 71 million people at risk of infection. Domestic animals, especially buffaloes and goats, serve as important reservoir hosts, facilitating the transmission of the parasite to humans. While praziquantel (PZQ) is the first-line treatment for schistosomiasis due to its broad-spectrum efficacy against adult schistosomes, its prophylactic potential is less explored. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of PZQ in preventing S. japonicum infection in buffaloes and goats via assessing worm burden, worm size, hematological changes, and immune modulation. In the present study, buffaloes and goats were pretreated with PZQ at various doses (7-25 mg/kg body weight), followed by infection with S. japonicum cercariae. The results showed significant reductions in total worm burden and female worm burden, with one oral administration at 13 mg/kg for buffaloes and one injection at 25 mg/kg for goats offering the most robust protection. Worm length was also significantly reduced in both buffaloes and goats, indicating that PZQ not only prevented infection in this study but also inhibited worm growth. Furthermore, PZQ pretreatment modulated immune responses, as evidenced by increased levels of nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) in buffaloes and Lym% in goats. These findings suggest that PZQ has significant prophylactic potential in livestock, offering a practical solution for reducing schistosome transmission from animals to humans in endemic regions. Additionally, this study indicates that PZQ pretreatment does not contribute to resistance development, as newly established infections are effectively cleared during the initial treatment window.

The Impact of COVID-19 on White Blood Cell Subpopulations and Inflammatory Markers

Background: COVID-19 is a disease of the zoonosis class and much has come to light since the onset of the pandemic in December 2019. Understanding COVID-19 pathophysiology is crucial for its effective treatment. The present study is conducted to observe the haematological changes associated with COVID-19 infection among a cohort of Iraqi patients. Methods and Design: A retrospective cohort study involving confirmed (60) COVID-19 patients and (20) individuals in the control group admitted to Al Karama Teaching Hospital in Al-Kut Wasit Province, Iraq. Data captured included complete blood counts (CBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), and D-dimer levels. The statistical analysis covered t-tests for between-group comparison and multiple linear regression to ascertain the associations between the haematological parameters. Results: The COVID-19 patients had a significantly higher total white blood cell count, with a mean of 17.1575 than the control groups of 8.7005 (p &gt; 0.001). COVID-19 patients also had significantly greater mean lymphocyte counts (mean 55.365) compared to controls (mean 29.79; p &gt; 0.001), suggesting the presence of lymphocytosis. The COVID-19 patients also showed significantly higher mean neutrophil count (mean 82.9205) than the control group (mean 60.369; p &gt; 0. The mean levels of CRP were 75.74667 in COVID-19 patients, which is significantly higher compared to 3.11 as observed in the control group (p &gt; 0.001). Similarly, the mean D-dimer levels were higher in COVID-19 patients at 2319.7 compared to 336.65 in the control group (p &gt; 0.001). The correlation analysis shows a high negative correlation between WBCs and neutrophils and a moderate positive correlation between CRP and D-dimer, which reflects the complex interplay between inflammatory and coagulation processes. Conclusion: This study highlights striking haematological changes in COVID-19, characterized by lymphocytosis, neutrophilia, and activation of inflammatory and coagulation markers. It underlines the importance of monitoring these parameters for better patient management. More research is needed to explore therapeutic interventions targeting these specific immune and coagulation responses in COVID-19.

The Full Blood Count and D-Dimers of Patients Infected with COVID-19 at the Bamenda Treatment Center

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2, is an ongoing global pandemic affecting multiple organ systems, including the hematopoietic system, particularly in severe cases, which has been sparingly reported. This study aimed to describe the hematological profile (WBC count, lymphocyte count, hemoglobin, platelet count, and D-dimers) of COVID-19 patients and assess the impact of these changes on outcomes at the Bamenda Treatment Center. A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted on medical records of eligible COVID-19 patients from April 20, 2020, to May 31, 2021, including cases with Full Blood Count or D-dimers but excluding those with confirmed death on arrival. Socio-demographic, clinical, and para-clinical data were analyzed using SPSS version 23, with significance set at p&lt;0.05 and a 95% confidence interval. Of the 497 cases included, the mean age was 43.45±22.2 years, with a female predominance (male- to-female ratio of 1:1.5). Key findings included lymphocytopenia in 35.9% of participants and elevated D-dimers in 58.5%, with higher median D-dimers observed among non-survivors (Median: 1470.69, IQR: 5020.2) and those requiring supplemental oxygen (Median: 1289.75; IQR: 321.42–5341.67). Additionally, hospitalized patients with low platelet counts (83.3%) had significantly lower mean platelet counts than those quarantined at home (16.7%) (p&lt;0.001). These findings highlight the significance of hematological changes among COVID-19 patients, particularly elevated D-dimers and lymphocytopenia, and underscore the need to monitor full blood count and D-dimers during initial consultations to enhance patient management and risk stratification.

Hematological Changes in Clozapine Users: A Study in a Brazilian Community Sample.

Clozapine is the only antipsychotic with proven superior efficacy for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. However, global utilization rates remain suboptimal due to concerns about hematological side effects. This study aimed to investigate hematological abnormalities among clozapine users at a large community center in the Brazilian countryside. This study adopts a real-world approach and was conducted based on a retrospectively analyzed complete blood counts from clozapine users in Goiás, Brazil. We describe the total number and percentage of participants presenting blood dyscrasias. Logistic regression models, using Stata v.18, were employed to evaluate whether sex or age were associated with the presentation of neutropenia. Data from 6,160 complete blood counts from 486 patients taken between 2011 and 2018 were analyzed. Blood dyscrasias were observed in 37.4% of patients, with anemia being the most common (23.6%), followed by thrombocytopenia (9.46%) and eosinophilia (13.7%). Neutropenia occurred in 4.52% of patients, primarily mild (3.9%) and moderate (0.62%), with no cases of agranulocytosis identified. Clozapine users showed a higher prevalence of blood dyscrasias compared to the overall Brazilian population. Most cases of neutropenia were mild and transient. Our results suggest a lower risk of severe neutropenia and emphasize the need to investigate other blood dyscrasias.

Silver nanoparticle toxicity in rainbow trout: insights into physiological and molecular responses

Metallic nanoparticles, with their large surface area to volume ratio, are increasingly important in various life fields, but they can cause varying toxic effects on fish. This study investigates the toxicological effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), focusing on hematological, biochemical, antioxidant, and histopathological changes. Fish were exposed to varying concentrations of AgNPs (0.2, 0.8, and 1.4 mg/L) for 21 days. Hematological analysis revealed significant reductions in red blood cell (RBC) counts, hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (HCT) at higher AgNPs concentrations, while white blood cell (WBC) counts increased, indicating immune system activation. Biochemical assays demonstrated dose-dependent decreases in total protein and albumin, alongside increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels, suggesting impaired liver function and disrupted lipid metabolism. Antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, CAT, GST) initially increased at lower AgNPs concentrations but declined at higher exposures, indicating oxidative stress. Molecular analysis further supported these findings, with upregulation of oxidative stress-related genes (SOD1, CAT) and inflammatory markers (HSP70, IL-1β). Histopathological examinations revealed necrosis, hyperplasia, and lamellar fusion in the gills, along with significant liver damage, including vacuolation and Kupffer cell proliferation, particularly at the highest exposure. Behavioral assays showed erratic swimming and reduced feeding in fish exposed to higher AgNPs concentrations. This study highlights the dose-dependent toxic effects of AgNPs on rainbow trout and underscores the potential for long-term, possibly irreversible damage at higher exposure levels. These findings emphasize the need for stricter environmental regulations on nanoparticle use to mitigate their ecological impact.