HEMATO-BIOCHEMICAL PROFILES OF SHEEP INFECTED WITH FASCIOLOSIS IN COMPARISON WITH HEALTHY CONTROLS

Abstract

Fasciolosis can cause considerable change in hematological parameters and liver driven serum enzymes. Hence, the aim of this research is to assess the hematological and biochemical changes in sheep infected with Fasciolosis in comparison with healthy controls. A total of 52 local breed (26 form naturally infected and 26 from healthy control group) matched with sex and age were enrolled in the study. Five ml blood using EDTA vacutainer tube for hematology and another 5 ml blood by serum separating tubes for serum biochemical profiles were taken and analyzed using Sysmex automated hematological analyzer and Vegasys chemistry analyzer respectively. The hematological analysis indicated there were significant mean reductions (P<0.001) in tRBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH); Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in case group (5.62±1.15, 8.92±1.66, 20.12±5.78, 26.05±4.16, 9.444±2.00 and 29.72±2.55) than control group (10.27±1.36, 12.68±1.66, 38.9±6.05, 40.50±3.35, 13.100±1.35 and 34.327±3.06) respectively. On the contrary the mean value of tWBC and eosinophil were significantly higher in the infected group (11.27±2.7 and 7.19±2.81) than the flock free of Fasciolosis (7.12±2.61 and 2.82±1.07) respectively. Regarding biochemical parameters, the significant mean elevation (P<0.001) in serum ALT (125.92±20.71) and AST (34.73±11.97) in the infected sheep were observed than ALT (77.04±13.96) and AST (23.69±7.37) of the control groups. Whereas, the serum total protein and glucose level (5.17±1.05 and 21.15±11.08) in Fasciola infected sheep were significantly lower (P<0.001) than healthy control (7.33±1.06 and 32.62±9.48, respectively). The alteration in hemato-biochemical profile suggested a great impact of Fasciolosis on liver physiology leading to loss of production and productivity in sheep industry.