Evaluation of Methods to Improve the Diagnosis of Systemic Inflammation in Alpacas

Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine

T. Passler³  M.F. Chamorro³  K.P. Riddell⁴  M.A. Edmondson³  E. van Santen²  C. Cray¹  H.S. Maxwell³ 

[1] Division of Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL;Department of Agronomy and Soils, College of Agriculture and Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn University, Auburn, AL;Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL;Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL

关键词: Acute phase proteins;    Haptoglobin;    New World camelid;    Osmotic mini‐pump;    Serum amyloid A;    Serum iron concentration;   

DOI  :  10.1111/jvim.12102

来源: Wiley

【 摘 要 】

Abstract

Background

The stoic nature of alpacas and limitations of current diagnostic tests make early recognition of inflammatory diseases in this species challenging.

Objectives

In a model of mild systemic inflammation, this study evaluated the utility of different clinical and clinicopathologic variables as accurate predictors of inflammation in alpacas.

Animals

Twelve clinically healthy alpacas were randomly assigned to equal-sized treatment (TG) and control (CG) groups. After collection of initial blood samples (0 hour), lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 20 μg/kg/24 h) or saline was administered by SC osmotic mini-pumps (OMP) for 96 hours. Additional blood samples were collected at 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, and 240 hours and differential leukocyte counts and concentrations of globulin, albumin, iron, haptoglobin, and serum amyloid A were measured.

Results

Mild swelling was observed at OMP implantation sites in both groups. Other clinical signs of systemic inflammation were not observed. Total leukocytes, neutrophils, albumin, and globulin concentrations were not significantly different between groups. Compared with CG-alpacas, TG-alpacas had fewer lymphocytes (P = .0322), more band neutrophils (P = .0087), and higher neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios (P = .0295) during the first 96 hours of the study. During LPS administration, serum iron concentrations were significantly decreased in TG-alpacas (P < .0001). Haptoglobin concentrations of TG-animals exceeded those of CG-animals after removal of OMP (P = .0056). Serum amyloid A was not detectable in alpacas in this study.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

These results indicated that neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios and serum iron concentrations are early indicators of inflammation in alpacas. Additional research is needed to evaluate the acute phase protein responses of alpacas.

【 授权许可】

Unknown   
Copyright © 2013 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine