Teodorowski O, Winiarczyk S, Tarhan D, Dokuzeylül B, Ercan AM, Or ME, Staniec M, Adaszek Ł. Antioxidant Status, and Blood Zinc and Copper Concentrations in Dogs with Uncomplicated Babesiosis due to
Babesia Canis Infections.
J Vet Res 2021;
65:169-174. [PMID:
34250301 PMCID:
PMC8256463 DOI:
10.2478/jvetres-2021-0031]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
The aim of the study was to demonstrate a link between uncomplicated Babesia canis infection in dogs and blood concentrations of zinc and copper and erythrocytic antioxidant defence - activities of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT).
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The study was based on 15 naturally occurring cases of canine babesiosis with anorexia, pyrexia, depression, pale mucous membrane, splenomegaly and dark red urine. Microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained peripheral blood smears and the results of PCR confirmed B. canis infection. Seven apparently healthy dogs brought in for either a check-up or vaccination were used for comparison.
RESULTS
The levels of the erythrocytic antioxidant enzymes - SOD and CAT - were significantly higher in the infected dogs than in cytologically negative dogs. The levels of blood micronutrients were significantly lower in the infected dogs (0.478 μg of zinc per mL vs 1.241 μg/mL and 0.722 μg of copper per mL vs 1.392 μg/mL).
CONCLUSION
Oxidative stress can be posited as one of the mechanisms leading to anaemia in dogs with babesiosis, and therefore antioxidant biomarker and copper and zinc concentrations could be used as indicators of disease severity and prognostic markers.
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