The electrophoretic pattern of serum proteins in dogs with babesiosis

Abstract

This study was aimed at the evaluation of the electrophoretic pattern of serum proteins in dogs naturally infected with Babesia canis. Blood samples were collected from 37 dogs infected with B. canis and showing clinical signs consistent with the disease. The sick animals were classified as dogs with physiologic and decreased red blood cell (RBC) values. Twenty-five healthy dogs formed the control group. The concentrations of total proteins and protein fractions were measured in blood serum. The values of total proteins, albumin and albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio in dogs with babesiosis were significantly lower than in healthy ones (P < 0.001). In the globulin fractions, significantly higher relative concentrations of α1-, β1- and β2-globulins (P < 0.01), and non-significantly higher values of α2- and γ-globulins were found in dogs with babesiosis with a double α2-zone in six out of 37 animals. Marked differences were observed also between the two groups of sick animals, with significantly lower values of albumin and A/G ratio (P < 0.05), and significantly higher values of α1- and β1-globulins in dogs with decreased RBC (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Presented results indicate marked alterations in the electrophoretic pattern of serum proteins in dogs with babesiosis suggesting its usefulness for the evaluation of pathophysiological changes caused by the disease and for diagnostic of disease severity.