Serum haptoglobin and amyloid A concentrations and clinical findings in sheep with peste des petits ruminants

Abstract

The changes in serum haptoglobin (Hp) and amyloid A (SAA) concentrations in sheep with peste des petits ruminants (PPR) were investigated. Additionally, the relationships between these acute phase proteins and clinical symptoms were studied. Twenty sheep showing PPR virus antibodies in c-ELISA and 10 sheep PPR virus negative were used as the experimental and control groups. In the clinical examination, typical clinical symptoms, such as fever, nasal catarrh, erosive stomatitis, gastroenteritis, and conjunctivitis were detected in all PPR affected animals. In addition, statistically significant differences were found in body temperature and respiratory and heart rates between experimental and control groups (P<0.001). SAA and Hp levels increased significantly (P<0.001) in PPR virus infected sheep in comparison with healthy animals. Consequently, the obtained data showed that although the acute phase proteins were not specific for the disease, serum Hp and SAA could be used as an indicator together with clinical findings in sheep with PPR.