The use of inflammatory markers as a diagnostic and prognostic approach in neonatal calves with septicaemia

Prognostic potential of inflammatory markers, oxidative status, thrombocyte indices, and renal biochemical markers in neonatal calf diarrhoea-induced systemic inflammatory response syndrome

The study aimed to assess the prognostic value of inflammatory markers, indicators of oxidative stress, thrombocyte indices, and renal biochemical markers in neonatal calf diarrhoea (NCD) induced by systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) upon admission. A prospective, observational, and case-control study was conducted on 56 calves diagnosed with NCD. Mean concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine (Crea) were measured. Furthermore, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were also calculated for SIRS survivors [SIRS (survivor)] and non-survivors [SIRS (non-survivor)] induced by NCD. A prognostic cut-off value for predicting the prognosis of the SIRS's induced by NCD was obtained via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Upon admission, the SIRS (non-survivor) calves had significantly higher (P < .001) average levels of IL-6, MDA, BUN, Crea, MPV, and PDW compared to the SIRS (survivor) calves and significantly lower (P < .001) average levels of GSH. Despite an apparent increase in the NLR and PLR values of calves diagnosed with SIRS, no significant difference was found between the survival and non-survivor SIRS cases. Positive predictive values (PPVs) for survival were determined as 100 %, 100 %, 80 %, 100 %, 80 %, and 80 %, respectively, using cut-off values of IL-6 (≤259.67 ng/L), MDA (≤2.87 nmol/mL), MPV (≤12.5 fL), PDW (≤34.25 %), BUN (≤168.3 mg/dL), and Crea (≤2.11 mg/dL). The determined threshold values are those obtained upon admission to the hospital. Based on the sensitivity, specificity, and PPVs derived from the ROC analysis, it has been concluded that IL-6, MDA, MPV, PDW, BUN, and Crea are the most relevant biomarkers used for predicting the prognosis of NCD-induced SIRS in calves. Furthermore, it is also noteworthy that IL-6 exhibited the highest effectiveness among all biomarkers.

Procalcitonin as an Endogenous Biomarker for Mastitis in Cows

Mastitis is one of the most common diseases of dairy cows. Procalcitonin (PCT) has been described as an endogenous inflammatory biomarker for bacterial infections. The aim of this study was to find possible correlations between PCT concentrations in the serum and milk of cows with mastitis and their clinical signs and disease progression. In total, 88 dairy cows were examined, of which 30 animals were diagnosed with clinical mastitis, 30 had subclinical mastitis, and 28 were designated as a healthy control group. The diseased animals were re-examined after 12 days. All PCT levels in this study were determined by a species-specific ELISA. All three groups could be differentiated from each other based on serum and milk PCT levels. The animals with clinical mastitis showed the highest mean concentrations of PCT (serum: 2641 pg/mL; milk: 1326 pg/mL), and the lowest PCT concentrations were found in the healthy control group (serum: 1166 pg/mL; milk: 176 pg/m). Over the course of the disease, results from the kinetics study showed that PCT levels remained high for the entire observation period. The results from this study showed that the PCT concentration could be used to differentiate between clinical mastitis, subclinical mastitis, and healthy cows.

The relationship between serum cytokine profile and vitamin D in calves with neonatal diarrhea

It is important to know the characteristics of the immunological response in newborn calf diarrhea, which is often caused by bacterial, viral and protozoal pathogens. Cytokinesare proteins that serve as chemical messengers to regulate theinnate and adaptive arms of theimmune response. Changes in circulatory cytokine levels provide valuable information for understanding the pathophysiological process and monitoring disease progression and inflammation. Vitamin D has important immunomodulatory effects, which include enhancing the innate immune system and inhibiting adaptative immune responses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum cytokine profile and vitamin D level in neonatal calves with diarrhea. The study population was comprised of 40 neonatal calves, 32 of which had diarrhea and 8 of which were healthy calves. The calves with diarrhea were allocated to four groups according to bacterial (Escherichia coli), viral (Rotavirus, Coronavirus) and protozoal (Cryptosporidium parvum) etiologies. Circulatory vitamin D metabolites (25-hydroxyvitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D) and cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13 and IL-17) in the calves were determined. There was no statistically significant difference among the groups in 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels were higher in Coronavirus and E. coli groups compared to the controls. Serum levels of all cytokines except for IL-13, were higher in E. coli group than those of the control group. As a result, differences in serum cytokines and vitamin D levels according to etiological factors in calf diarrhea indicate that vitamin D may play a role in the immune response in the disease.

Validation of new automated turbidimetric immunoassays for the measurement of haptoglobin and inter-α-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4 specific for the bovine species

BACKGROUND

Good strategical programs are required for the early detection of disease even in the absence of evident clinical signs, which is crucial in satisfying animal welfare. Haptoglobin (Hp) and inter-α-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4 (ITIH4) are acute phase proteins and good biomarkers of early inflammation in cattle, with plasma levels that significantly increase after injury or infection.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to develop and validate two new immunoturbidimetric methods for Hp and ITIH4.

METHODS

Species-specific antibodies were obtained and used to develop the immunoassays. For the Hp assay, antibodies were fixed to latex microparticles to enhance detection. The immunoassays were set up in an automated analyzer to carry out validation studies. Reference intervals were calculated using Reference Value Advisor.

RESULTS

The Hp immunoturbidimetric method had a linear analytical range up to 0.40 mg/mL. The limit of detection (LoD) was 0.005 mg/mL, and the limit of quantification (LoQ) was 0.007 mg/mL. Total imprecision was less than 7%. Comparison with ELISA and single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) showed good correlation, whereas the comparison with the colorimetric method showed constant and proportional differences. The ITIH4 immunoassay showed linearity up to 5 mg/mL, and the LoD was 0.002 mg/mL. Total imprecision was less than 6%. Method comparison showed a good correlation with single radial immunodiffusion, both methods being equivalent. Bilirubin, triglycerides, and hemoglobin presented no interference in any of the assays. Reference intervals were 0.007-0.017 mg/mL for Hp and 0.2-0.7 mg/mL for ITIH4 in dairy cows 10 days before parturition.

CONCLUSIONS

Immunoturbidimetric methods developed for Hp and ITIH4 can measure basal and increased levels of these proteins, showing adequate precision, accuracy, and robustness.

Biomarkers of sepsis in pigs, horses and cattle: from acute phase proteins to procalcitonin

Sepsis is a complex clinical syndrome triggered by an inflammatory host response to an infection. It is usually complicated to detect and diagnose, and has severe consequences in human and veterinary health, especially when treatment is not started early. Therefore, efforts to detect sepsis accurately are needed. In addition, its proper diagnosis could reduce the misuse of antibiotics, which is essential fighting against antimicrobial resistance. This case is a particular issue in farm animals, as antibiotics have been traditionally given massively, but now they are becoming increasingly restricted. When sepsis is suspected in animals, the most frequently used biomarkers are acute phase proteins such as C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A and haptoglobin, but their concentrations can increase in other inflammatory conditions. In human patients, the most promising biomarkers to detect sepsis are currently procalcitonin and presepsin, and there is a wide range of other biomarkers under study. However, there is little information on the application of these biomarkers in veterinary species. This review aims to describe the general concepts of sepsis and the current knowledge about the biomarkers of sepsis in pigs, horses, and cattle and to discuss possible advances in the field.

Neopterin, procalcitonin, total sialic acid, paraoxonase-1 and selected haematological indices in calves with aspiration pneumonia

This study aims to determine serum neopterin, procalcitonin, total sialic acid (TSA), paraoxonase-1 (PON1), and some haematological indices in calves with aspiration pneumonia (ASP). The patient group consisted of 30 calves of the Simmental breed, 0–28 days old, diagnosed with ASP upon clinical examination, anamnesis, auscultation examination, and radiographic results. The control group consisted of 10 healthy calves, otherwise with the same characteristics. A significant difference was found between calves with ASP and the control group of calves in serum iron (Fe, P < 0.001), total iron-binding capacity (TIBC, P < 0.05), PON1, TSA, procalcitonin, neopterin, and total leukocyte count (WBC) indices as a result of the analyses (P < 0.001). Serum procalcitonin concentration was found to be 285.71 ng/ml in the ASP group and 30.34 ng/ml in the control group. Serum neopterin concentration was found to be 37.68 nmol/l in the ASP group and 15.14 nmol/l in the control group. Serum procalcitonin, neopterin, and TSA concentrations were found to be significantly higher in the ASP group compared to the control group. It was concluded that biomarkers such as serum procalcitonin, neopterin, and TSA are high in calves with ASP, and as a result, these markers provide diagnostically and prognostically important information.

Evaluation of Serum Iron and Ferritin Levels as Inflammatory Markers in Calves with Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex

Iron and ferritin have been used in human medicine for years to reveal the presence of inflammation. However, studies evaluating these parameters, especially in respiratory system diseases, are quite rare in veterinary medicine. We aimed to test the usability of serum Fe and Fe-related parameters [total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC) and transferrin saturation (TS) levels] as inflammatory and diagnostic biomarkers in calves with bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC). To mark inflammation, some selected acute-phase proteins including serum ferritin and transferrin levels were measured because of their close relationship with iron metabolism. The material of this study consisted of 15 calves, aged 1-3 months with BRDC (Group I) and 10 healthy calves aged 1-3 months (Group II) based on the presence of respiratory clinical findings. Serum Fe, TIBC and TS levels were low and ferritin levels were high in Group I (P ≤ 0.001). The BRDC group was separated into two subgroups based on PCR results, namely Virus+ (n=9) and Virus- (n=6). The calves in the Virus+ group had significantly lower levels of Fe (P=0.001) and significantly higher values of ferritin (P=0.002), compared to the healthy group. On the basis of inter-group comparison and ROC analysis, we concluded that Fe (primarily), ferritin, TIBC and TS levels can be used as inflammatory biomarkers and possible diagnostic markers in the BRDC as useful, practical, inexpensive substitutes. As a suggestion, these parameters which are believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease, can be used as potential prognostic biomarkers in studies involving treatment.

Assessment of Standing and Recumbent Restraint Positions and the Significance of Rumenotomy Techniques Based on the Profiles of Serum Amyloid a in Kano Brown Goats

Standing and lateral recumbency positions have been used as a standard approach for most surgical procedures for large and small ruminants, respectively, without appropriate attention to the associated surgical stress. The study aimed to assess the level of surgical stress in Kano Brown goats (KBGs) based on their serum amyloid A (SAA) profiles by undergoing rumenotomy in lateral recumbency (Rumen Skin Clamp Fixation-RSCF and Stay Suture Rumenotomy-SSR) and a standing position restraint. A total of 24 KBGs were equally allocated by number and sex in groups A, B, C, and D. Groups A and B underwent RSCF and SSR in lateral recumbency, respectively, while group D underwent a rumenotomy in a standing position performed in a custom made mobile small ruminant surgical chute. Animals in groups A, B, and D were diagnosed with rumen foreign bodies, whereas group C was used as a control with a negative diagnosis. At 48 h post-rumenotomy, the mean SAA concentration in group B (137.88±66.87 g/L) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the value in group C (34.59±0.57 g/L). The females in group B had a significantly higher (P<0.05) mean concentration of SAA at 48 hours (210.15±123.73 g/L) than groups C (35.18±0.08 g/L) and D (48.35±12.15 g/L). In group A, at 24 hours, SAA concentration (115.61±20.96 µg/L) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of group B (31.51±2.59 µg/L) and group C (34.86±3.21 µg/L) in males. Rumenotomy in the standing restraint position was associated with minimal surgical stress, hence it’s recommended over the conventional lateral recumbent position techniques.

Neopterin, procalcitonin, clinical biochemistry, and hematology in calves with neonatal sepsis

This study aims to determine how neopterin, procalcitonin, biochemical and hematological parameters change during treatment of calves with neonatal sepsis. A total of 25 calves divided into two groups. Sepsis group was composed of 15 newborn calves aged 0–10 days which met neonatal sepsis criteria, but did not receive any treatment. Control group included 10 healthy calves aged 0–10 days. Clinical examinations (respiratory rate, rectal temperature, heart rate, capillary refill time, sucking reflex) were performed at certain times before (0th h) and during (12th, 24th, 48th, and 72th h) the treatment. The blood was taken from the jugular vein from the sepsis group before (0th h) and during the treatment (12th, 24th, 48th, and 72nd h) and once from the control group. Procalcitonin pretreatment (0th h) and control group concentrations were found as 178.08 ± 2.4 (pg/mL) and 42.78 ± 1.25 (pg/mL), respectively (p < 0.001). Neopterin pretreatment (0th h) and control group concentrations were determined as 14.44 ± 0.30 (ng/mL) and 3.63 ± 0.29 (ng/mL), respectively (p < 0.001). As a result, neopterin and procalcitonin concentration decreased along with the treatment, confirming the presence of sepsis in calves and suggesting that sepsis could be a prognostic indicator. Therefore, both procalcitonin and neopterin can be prognostic and diagnostic in calves with sepsis.