Calves with Cryptosporidiosis: Acute Phase Proteins and Biochemical Parameters

Resumo

Background: Cryptosporidium is a major intestinal pathogen that causes diarrhea, intestinal damage, and significant economic losses in calves. An infection can leads to systemic inflammatory and acute-phase responses, causing changes in serum biochemical parameters. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate serum haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin concentrations in calves naturally infected with Cryptosporidium, along with selected biochemical parameters.

Materials, Methods & Results: The study included a total of 30 calves, comprising 20 calves presenting with watery diarrhea, tenesmus, and dehydration, and 10 clinically healthy calves serving as controls. Cryptosporidium infection was confirmed by examination of fecal samples using an immunochromatographic rapid diagnostic test and modified acid-fast (mAF) staining. Serum samples were analyzed to determine haptoglobin (HP) and ceruloplasmin (CP) concentrations, together with selected oxidative stress markers and biochemical parameters. Compared with clinically healthy controls, infected calves exhibited significantly increased serum HP and CP levels, along with alterations in oxidative stress and biochemical parameters. These findings suggest that Cryptosporidium infection is associated with a systemic acute-phase response in calves, characterized by increased HP and CP concentrations and concurrent biochemical alterations.

Discussion: In calves infected with Cryptosporidium, CD4+ T cells mediate immune responses involving both cellular and humoral mechanisms against the parasite. In response to the body’s cellular and humoral immune response, increased levels of certain cytokines lead to APP production in the liver. Albumin, haptoglobin, and ceruloplasmin are diagnostically important in ruminants. This study demonstrated that haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin levels were elevated in comparison with the control group. The reason for this is likely the tissue damage caused by the parasite. Albumin, a negative APP, is produced in the liver. This study has shown that albumin levels in diseased animals are lower than those in healthy animals. Oxidative stress observed in bacterial and viral diseases stems from an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants. The study showed that the oxidant-antioxidant system was disrupted, and when the control group was compared to the Cryptosporidium-infected group, MDA concentrations increased while antioxidant activity decreased. Changes occur in cholesterol, LDL-C, and HDL-C levels during lipolysis of adipose tissue. In this study, although VLDL-C concentrations were significantly higher than those observed in the control group, the reductions in cholesterol, HDL-C, and LDL-C levels may be associated with enteropathy or inflammatory processes. It has been reported that parasitic infections affect various blood parameters in animals. In this study, the increase in AST and ALP activity may be due to liver and intestinal damage, the elevation in serum urea and creatinine levels may be reduced renal perfusion, and the increase in total protein may be due to globulin synthesis. In conclusion, the findings indicate that Cryptosporidium infection in calves leads to a distinct acute-phase response accompanied by increased haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin concentrations and significant changes in various biochemical parameters. These findings highlight the systemic effects of Cryptosporidium infection and its potential impact on the metabolic and inflammatory status of affected calves.

Keywords: calf, diarrhea, cryptosporidiosis, acute phase proteins, lipid profile.