1
|
Arguedas R. On the significance of aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase in wild reptile health studies. J Comp Physiol B 2024; 194:47-51. [PMID: 38321291 DOI: 10.1007/s00360-024-01535-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
In reptile medicine, the enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatine kinase (CK) have been used in clinical diagnostics, where CK is considered an enzyme specific to muscle cell damage, while AST is a nonspecific enzyme that is mainly produced in the liver and muscle. When many native reptiles are sampled, it is evident that there are important differences between species and individuals belonging to the same species, making the AST and CK ranges very wide. The minimum and maximum values, variations and standard deviations were extracted for each enzyme from 17 wild reptile studies, revealing high variation and a wide range of variation for each species. AST and CK must be interpreted with caution in wild reptiles since there appears to be an important amount of individual and specific variation due to the muscular origin of these enzymes, and such variations tell us that there are considerable differences between individuals, physiological characteristics or sampling methods; thus, there is no apparent value derived from these kinds of studies on the utility of AST for evaluating liver damage, but the measurement of AST and CK can be useful for reptile health assessments or any manipulative study since they can eventually be used as indicators or potential biomarkers for restraint techniques or holding time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Randall Arguedas
- VetLab, San José, Costa Rica.
- Universidad Tecnica Nacional, Sede Atenas, Alajuela, Costa Rica.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kendall MW, Wright AD, Adamovicz LA, Durante K, Andersson KE, Frederickson K, Vivirito K, Ospina EA, Delaney MA, Allender MC. Environmental temperature influences ophidiomycosis progression and survival in experimentally challenged prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis). PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289641. [PMID: 37535551 PMCID: PMC10399908 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Ophidiomycosis is a prevalent and intermittently pervasive disease of snakes globally caused by the opportunistic fungal pathogen, Ophidiomyces ophidiicola. Host response has yet to be fully explored, including the role of temperature in disease progression and hematologic changes. This study enrolled twelve adult prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis) in an experimental challenge with O. ophidiicola at two temperatures, 26°C (n = 6) and 20°C (n = 6). Each temperature cohort included four inoculated and two control snakes. Assessments involving physical exams, lesion swabbing, and hematology were performed weekly. Differences were observed between inoculated and control snakes in survival, behavior, clinical signs, ultraviolet (UV) fluorescence, hematologic response, and histologic lesions. All inoculated snakes held at 20°C were euthanized prior to study end date due to severity of clinical signs while only one inoculated animal in the 26°C trial met this outcome. In both groups, qPCR positive detection preceded clinical signs with regards to days post inoculation (dpi). However, the earliest appearance of gross lesions occurred later in the 20°C snakes (20 dpi) than the 26°C snakes (13 dpi). Relative leukocytosis was observed in all inoculated snakes and driven by heterophilia in the 20°C snakes, and azurophilia in the 26°C group. Histologically, 20°C snakes had more severe lesions, a lack of appropriate inflammatory response, and unencumbered fungal proliferation and invasion. In contrast, 26°C snakes had marked granulomatous inflammation with encapsulation of fungi and less invasion and dissemination. The results of this study identified that O. ophidiicola-infected rattlesnakes exposed to lower temperatures have decreased survival and more robust hematologic change, though minimal and ineffective inflammatory response at site of infection. Ophidiomycosis is a complex disease with host, pathogen, and environmental factors influencing disease presentation, progression, and ultimately, survival. This study highlighted the importance of temperature as an element impacting the host response to O. ophidiicola.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Waligora Kendall
- Wildlife Epidemiology Lab, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Allison D Wright
- Wildlife Epidemiology Lab, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Laura A Adamovicz
- Wildlife Epidemiology Lab, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
- The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Kennymac Durante
- Wildlife Epidemiology Lab, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Kirsten E Andersson
- Wildlife Epidemiology Lab, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Kelcie Frederickson
- Wildlife Epidemiology Lab, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Katie Vivirito
- Wildlife Epidemiology Lab, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Emilie A Ospina
- Wildlife Epidemiology Lab, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
- The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Martha A Delaney
- Zoological Pathology Program, University of Illinois, Brookfield, IL, United States of America
| | - Matthew C Allender
- Wildlife Epidemiology Lab, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
- The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
- The Brookfield Zoo, Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield, Illinois, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Arguedas R, Gómez A, Alcázar P, Chacón D, Corrales G, Barquero MD. Differences in plasmatic butyrylcholinesterases (BChE) values between Pacific and Caribbean populations of terciopelo ( Bothrops asper) in Costa Rica. Heliyon 2019; 5:e02620. [PMID: 31667424 PMCID: PMC6812210 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The terciopelo (Bothrops asper) inhabits human-modified environments such as agricultural areas, becoming more prone to be exposed to organophosphate insecticides. These chemicals can inhibit plasmatic butyrylcholinesterases (BChE) activity in B. asper. Caribbean and Pacific populations of B. asper belong to two divergent lineages that exhibit robust genetic partitioning; however, differences across versants in biochemistry and hematology have not yet been examined, especially in BChE variations. This study aims to evaluate the differences of BChE plasmatic values, hematology parameters, and some biochemical analytes as biomarkers in the presence of organophosphates between the Pacific and Caribbean population of B. asper in Costa Rica. A total of 89 snakes (41 Pacific and 48 Caribbean) were used, and hematology parameter, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein and BChEs were evaluated. Differences in hemoglobin content, thrombocytes, white cell count, AST, and BChE values were found between both versants. Intrinsic genetic factors might influence the variation found in BChE and AST values in the snakes sampled from both versants; moreover, understanding this variation in BChE and AST values across the B. asper's distribution can be useful in future ecotoxicology, biomonitoring, genetic and other clinical/health studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Randall Arguedas
- Zoológico Simón Bolívar, San José, Costa Rica.,AWÁ Conservation and Science, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Aarón Gómez
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | | | - Danilo Chacón
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Greivin Corrales
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
León G, Vargas M, Segura Á, Herrera M, Villalta M, Sánchez A, Solano G, Gómez A, Sánchez M, Estrada R, Gutiérrez JM. Current technology for the industrial manufacture of snake antivenoms. Toxicon 2018; 151:63-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.06.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
5
|
Arguedas R, Gómez A, Barquero MD, Chacón D, Corrales G, Hernández S, León G. Effect of exposition to chlorpyrifos upon plasmatic cholinesterases, hematology and blood biochemistry values in Bothrops asper (Serpentes: Viperidae). CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 205:209-214. [PMID: 29698832 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.04.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The terciopelo (Bothrops asper), is one of the most important venomous snakes in Costa Rica and common on agriculture where insecticides are frequently used for pest control. To assess the exposure to organophosphates on captive B. asper, an experiment using chlorpyrifos and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), as a biomarker was conducted. In addition to BChE, hematology, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total proteins (TP) and albumin were measured after exposure. Different concentrations of chlorpyrifos were used in Group A (0.1%) and B (1%), while the Control Group received distilled water; each group was composed of 5 snakes. Values of BChE, AST, TP, and albumin were measured before exposure, and at 6, 12, 24, 196, 360 and 528 h post-exposure. Hematology values were measured after 24 h post-exposure. As result, an important variation between subjects in all groups before exposure was obtained. Moreover, BChE activity showed 37% inhibition of Group A when compared to Control Group at 12 h post-exposure, and a higher inhibition of Group B (97%) related to Control Group, at 6 h post-exposure. Recovery of BChE occurred towards 528 h, never reaching initial values. Despite some variation in the rest of parameters used, a marked relative lymphopenia and monocytosis occurred at 24 h, assuming stress as the main cause.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Randall Arguedas
- Zoológico Nacional y Jardín Botánico Simón Bolívar, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Aarón Gómez
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.
| | - Marco D Barquero
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, Sede Caribe, Limón, Costa Rica
| | - Danilo Chacón
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Greivin Corrales
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Sonia Hernández
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, The Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study at the College of Veterinary Medicine University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Guillermo León
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Dissanayake DSB, Thewarage LD, Manel Rathnayake RMP, Kularatne SAM, Ranasinghe JGS, Jayantha Rajapakse RPV. Hematological and plasma biochemical parameters in a wild population of Naja naja (Linnaeus, 1758) in Sri Lanka. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2017; 23:8. [PMID: 28289429 PMCID: PMC5307876 DOI: 10.1186/s40409-017-0098-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hematological studies of any animal species comprise an important diagnostic method in veterinary medicine and an essential tool for the conservation of species. In Sri Lanka, this essential technique has been ignored in studies of many species including reptiles. The aim of the present work was to establish a reference range of hematological values and morphological characterization of wild spectacled cobras (Naja naja) in Sri Lanka in order to provide a diagnostic tool in the assessment of health condition in reptiles and to diagnose diseases in wild populations. METHODS Blood samples were collected from the ventral caudal vein of 30 wild-caught Naja naja (18 males and 12 females). Hematological analyses were performed using manual standard methods. RESULTS Several hematological parameters were examined and their mean values were: red blood cell count 0.581 ± 0.035 × 106/μL in males; 0.4950 ± 0.0408 × 106/μL in females; white blood cell count 12.45 ± 1.32 × 103/μL in males; 11.98 ± 1.62 × 103/μL in females; PCV (%) in males was 30.11 ± 1.93 and in females was 23.41 ± 1.67; hemoglobin (g/dL) was 7.6 ± 0.89 in males and 6.62 ± 1.49 in females; plasma protein (g/dL) was 5.11 ± 0.75 in males and 3.25 ± 0.74 in females; whereas cholesterol (mg/mL) was 4.09 ± 0.12 in males and 3.78 ± 0.42 in females. There were no significant differences in hematological parameters between the two genders except for erythrocyte count, thrombocyte count, hematocrit, hemoglobin, plasma protein, percentage of azurophil and heterophil. Intracellular parasites were not found in any of the studied specimens. CONCLUSION Hematological and plasma biochemical parameters indicated a difference between geographically isolated populations and some values were significantly different between the two genders. These hematological results provide a reference range for Sri Lankan population of adult Naja naja.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Duminda S B Dissanayake
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Lasanthika D Thewarage
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | | | | | | | - Rajapakse P V Jayantha Rajapakse
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| |
Collapse
|