Pentraxin-3, endothelin-1, some biochemical parameters and hematology in bovine respiratory disease complex

Abstract.

Background

Infectious bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) is one of the world's major livestock problems.

Aims

The study aimed to determine the diagnostic importance of pentraxin-3, endothelin-1, clinical biochemistry, and hematological parameters in infectious BRDC.

Methods

Animals in this study were Simmental breed, 1-7 years old, untreated, and healthy and BRDC cattle (40 cattle with BRDC in the disease group, and 10 healthy cattle in the control group). Clinical findings such as general posture, respiratory rate per minute, rectal temperature, heart rate per minute, and mental posture of the diseased cattle were recorded. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein only once from all cattle. Complete blood count from blood samples was measured in an automatic complete blood count device, biochemical parameters in an autoanalyzer, and pentraxin-3 and endothelin-1 were measured by ELISA method.

Results

Rectal temperature, respiratory and pulse rates per minute, total leukocyte count, gamma-glutamyl transferase, urea, total bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, pentraxin-3 and endothelin-1 concentrations were found to be statistically higher in BRDC group than those in the control group (P<0.001).

Conclusion

Pentraxin-3 and endothelin-1 levels were statistically significantly higher in the BRDC group compared to the control group. As a result, pentraxin-3 and endothelin-1 were found to be diagnostically important in cattle diagnosed with BRDC.

Occurrence of anthrax in Kars district, Turkey

The aims of the study were to determine the prevalence of anthrax by bacteriologic methods in cattle and sheep between January 2000 and September 2001 and to determine the distribution of this zoonotic disease in humans in Kars district, Turkey. Bacillus anthracis was isolated and identified in 34 out of 38 (91%) cattle and 11 out of 17 (64%) sheep samples obtained from organs suspected of anthrax. The records of the Governmental Health Branch showed that 89 cases of cutaneous anthrax were diagnosed in humans during the study periods in the same district.