Oxidant/antioxidant status in lambs and sheep with liver and lung cystic echinococcosis diagnosed by ultrasonography and necropsy

Ceruloplasmin Interferes with the Assessment of Blood Lipid Hydroperoxide Content in Small Ruminants

Simple and inexpensive analytical methods for assessing redox balance in biological matrixes are widely used in animal and human diagnostics. Two of them, reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs) and total oxidant status (TOS), evaluate the lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) content of the sample and are based on iron-mediated mechanisms. However, these tests provide uncorrelated results. In this study, we compared these two tests in the blood serum of goat kids and lambs, together with an evaluation of ceruloplasmin (CP) oxidase activity. No significant correlation was found between ROMs and TOS, or between TOS and CP oxidase activity, in either species. Conversely, ROMs and CP oxidase activity were highly correlated in both kid and lamb samples (p < 0.001). A significant progressive reduction in the analytical signal in the ROMs assay was observed when sodium azide, an effective CP inhibitor, was added to the samples before the assay (p < 0.001). This decrease was related to sodium azide concentration (p < 0.01) and was not found when sodium azide was added at the same concentrations in the TOS assay. These findings suggest that ROMs, unlike TOS, may be affected by CP, which interferes with LOOH detection in blood samples.

Ultrasonography of Parasitic Diseases in Domestic Animals: A Systematic Review

Simple Summary

The aim of this literature review was to summarize the current knowledge on the application of ultrasonography in diagnosis, staging and monitoring of helminthic diseases in domestic animals. We selected and analyzed 122 papers about the application of ultrasonography in parasitic disease in ruminants, equids, swine, and companion animals. Helminths can be recognized in ultrasound images by their morphology, size, and location. In some cases, the parasites are not directly seen by ultrasound, but the lesions caused by them can be easily visualized. Ultrasound imaging is taking on an increasingly important role in veterinary parasitology.

Abstract

The aim of this review was to summarize the current knowledge on the application of ultrasonography in diagnosis, staging and monitoring of helminthic diseases in domestic animals. Only peer reviewed papers written in English language were included in this systematic review. All papers concerning unicellular parasites, wild animals, non-domestic experimental animals, or ex vivo or in vitro applications of ultrasonography were excluded from the review. A total of 122 papers met the inclusion criteria. Among them 47% concerned nematodes, 37% cestodes, and 16% trematodes with the genus Dirofilaria, Echinococcus, and Fasciola the most represented, respectively. Helminths can be recognized in ultrasound images by their morphology, size, and location. In some cases, the parasite stages are not directly seen by ultrasound, but the lesions caused by them can be easily visualized. Ultrasound imaging is taking on an increasingly important role in the diagnosis, staging, monitoring, and control of parasitic diseases in veterinary medicine. However, it cannot replace the clinical approach and the diagnostic tests commonly used in veterinary parasitology.

Evaluation of Oxidative Stress in Sheep Infected with Psoroptes Ovis using Total Antioxidant Capacity, Total Oxidant Status, and Malondialdehyde Level

Introduction

The study aimed at evaluating oxidative stress using malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) markers in sheep naturally infected with Psoroptes ovis(Acari).

Material and Methods

The study was performed on 40 sheep divided into two equal groups: a healthy group (group I) and a group naturally infected with Psoroptes ovis (group II). The sera were obtained by centrifuging blood samples collected from the vena jugularis and serum MDA level changes in the samples were measured spectrophotometrically. Commercially available test kits were used for the measurement of TAC and TOS levels. The percentage ratio of TOS level to TAC level was accepted as OSI.

Results

The serum malondialdehyde, total oxidant status levels, and oxidative stress index increased significantly (P < 0.01) in group II, while the serum total antioxidant capacity levels decreased significantly (P < 0.01) in this group. Negative correlations between total antioxidant capacity and total oxidant status and total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde, and a positive correlation between total oxidant status and malondialdehyde were found in infected sheep.

Conclusion

The obtained results indicated the relationship between oxidant/antioxidant imbalance and Psoroptes ovis infection in sheep. Their MDA, TAC, TOS, and OSI markers may be used to determine the oxidative stress in natural infections with Psoroptes ovis.