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Acute-phase protein concentrations in serum of clinically healthy and diseased European bison (Bison bonasus) – preliminary study
Abstract Background This is the first report describing levels of APPs in European bison. Serum concentration of acute phase proteins (APPs) may be helpful to assess general health status in wildlife and potentially useful in selecting animals for elimination. Since there is a lack of literature data regarding concentration of APPs in European bisons, establishment of the reference values is also needed. Methods A total of 87 European bison from Polish populations were divided into two groups: (1) healthy: immobilized for transportation, placing a telemetry collar and routine diagnostic purposes; and (2) selectively culled due to the poor health condition. The serum concentration of haptoglobin, serum amyloid A and α1-acid-glycoprotein were determined using commercial quantitative ELISA assays. Since none of the variables met the normality assumptions, non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test was used for all comparisons. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Statistical analyses were performed using Statistica 13.3 (Tibco, USA). Results The concentration of haptoglobin and serum amyloid A was significantly higher in animals culled (euthanised) due to the poor condition in respect to the clinically healthy European bison. The levels of α1-acid-glycoprotein did not show statistical difference between healthy and sick animals. Conclusions Correlation between APPs concertation and health status was proven, therefore the determination of selected APPs may be considered in future as auxiliary predictive tool in assessing European bison health condition.
Selected Livestock-Associated Zoonoses as a Growing Challenge for Public Health
The aim of this paper is to review the most significant livestock-associated zoonoses. Human and animal health are intimately connected. This idea has been known for more than a century but now it has gained special importance because of the increasing threat from zoonoses. Zoonosis is defined as any infection naturally transmissible from vertebrate animals to humans. As the frequency and prevalence of zoonotic diseases increase worldwide, they become a real threat to public health. In addition, many of the newly discovered diseases have a zoonotic origin. Due to globalization and urbanization, some of these diseases have already spread all over the world, caused by the international flow of goods, people, and animals. However, special attention should be paid to farm animals since, apart from the direct contact, humans consume their products, such as meat, eggs, and milk. Therefore, zoonoses such as salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, tuberculosis, swine and avian influenza, Q fever, brucellosis, STEC infections, and listeriosis are crucial for both veterinary and human medicine. Consequently, in the suspicion of any zoonoses outbreak, the medical and veterinary services should closely cooperate to protect the public health.
Acute phase proteins in wildlife and their domesticated relatives
The aim of this review is to present current knowledge regarding acute phase proteins (APPs) in selected wild mammal species. APPs are a group of proteins synthesized in the liver. Their main biological function is to restore homeostasis in response to infection, injury, and other pathologies. APPs are well-studied and used in routine diagnostics in domestic animals and humans, whereas in wildlife species they are currently under intensive research. The most investigated APPs in non-domesticated animals include serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen (Fb), ceruloplasmin (Cp), and albumins (Ab). Changes in their concentrations have been described in cases of injuries, bacterial and viral infections, parasite infestations, and stress situations. It is important to note that the concentration of APPs is strongly affected by species, genotype, age, and environmental conditions. As the knowledge regarding APPs in wildlife develops, they may possibly be used in the future as diagnostic or prognostic tools, which is of special importance for threatened wildlife species.