Evaluation of serum iron and iron binding capacity in cows with paratuberculosis

Summary

Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the results of routine haematological, serum iron and iron binding capacity analyses in cattle with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) infection. Material and methods: Thirty-eight cows were included in the study. An ELISA for MAP, intradermal Johnin test and microscopic examination of the animals faecal smears for acid fast organisms were performed. According to the results 19 cows (4–8 years old) were found positive and 19 cows (4–7 years old) from the same herd were negative and served as control group. In all cows routine haematological values as well as serum iron level and iron binding capacity were evaluated. Results: When compared with control animals, routine haematological values including haematocrit, haemoglobin and erythrocyte counts were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in positive cows. Also serum iron level (p < 0.01) and iron binding capacity (p < 0.01) were significantly lower in positive cows than in the control group. Conclusion: As a result, these parameters can be important for the mechanism of the pathogenesis of paratuberculosis.

Zusammenfassung

Zusammenfassung Einführung: Ziel dieser Studie war die Auswertung der hämatologischen Routineparameter, der Serum-Eisenkonzentration und der Eisenbindungskapazität des Serums bei Rindern mit einer Infektion durch Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). Material und Methoden: Insgesamt 38 Kühe wurden mittels MAP-ELISA, Johnin- Hauttest und Überprüfung eines Kotabstrichs auf säurefeste Organismen hinsichtlich einer Infektion mit Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis untersucht. Bei 19 Kühen (4–8 Jahre alt) ergab sich ein positiver Befund. Die restlichen 19 Kühe (4–7 Jahre alt), die aus derselben Herde stammten, erwiesen sich als negativ und dienten als Kontrolltiere. Bei allen Probanden wurden hämatologische Routinepara - meter sowie die Eisenkonzentration im Serum und die Eisenbindungskapazität untersucht. Ergebnisse: Die Werte der hämatologischen Routineparameter wie Hämatokrit, Hämoglobin und Erythrozytenzahl lagen bei den positiven Tieren signifikant niedriger (p < 0.05) als bei den Kontrolltieren. Auch für die Serum-Eisenkonzentration und die Eisenbindungskapazität ergaben sich bei den positiven Kühen signifikant geringere Werte (jeweils p < 0.01) als bei den Kontrolltieren. Schlussfolgerung: Die Veränderungen dieser Parameter könnten bei den Pathogenitätsmechanismen der Paratuberkulose eine wichtige Rolle spielen.

Key words

Cattle - paratuberculosis - haematocrit - haemoglobin - erythrocyte count - iron - iron binding capacity

Schlüsselwörter

Rind - Paratuberkulose - Hämatokrit - Hämoglobin - Erythrozytenzahl - Serumeisen - Eisenbindungskapazität

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