Modifications of Serum Iron, Copper Concentration (SI, Cu), Total and Latent Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC, LIBC), and Transferrin Saturation (TS) in Natural Babesia ovis Infection of Sheep

Authors: Hüseyin VOYVODA, Servet SEKİN, Abdullah KAYA, Ayşegül BİLDİK

Abstract: The aim of this research is to find out the relationship between body temperature and serum iron parameters (SI, TIBC, LIBC and TS), copper as well as progression of a true iron deficiency in naturally Babesia ovis infected sheep. No etiologic or symtomatic therapy applied 15 Akkaraman sheep with rectal temperature above 40¼C had been used for this study. Acaprin, a babesiacidal drug, had been used for treatment of the disease. Hematological and biochemical parameters were determined in blood samples collected prior and after treatment (day 1 and 7). Hematocrit (Htc) value and hemoglobin concentration (Hb) have been considered for presence and degree of anemia. Serum total, direct and indirect bilirubin (TB, DB and IB), lactate dehyldrogenase (LDH) and total protein (TP) values have been considered for the determination of anemia type. A significant negative correlation between body temperature and SI, TIBC and TS (p<0.001, p<0.01 and p<0.001, respectively) and positive correlation between body temperature and Cu (p<0.001) had been observed. Since change in serum iron parameters related to body temperature, appearences of these parameter in B. ovis infected sheep correspond to infection type rather than hemolytic anemia. In the disease, a true iron deficiency required iron preparats as an antianemic drug was not found out. It has been demonstrated that these results should be considered for the diagnosis and treatment of disturbance in iron metabolism of B. ovis infected sheep.

Keywords: Sheep, Babesiosis, body temperature, serum iron parameters, copper