A preliminary study on the serum protein response in canine babesiosis

Abstract

Total serum protein, albumin, globulin, globulin fractions (alpha, beta and gamma globulins) and an acute-phase protein (α1-acid glycoprotein) were evaluated in dogs with naturally occurring mild (Group 1), severe (Group 2) or complicated babesiosis (Group 3). Results showed that the total serum protein, albumin, A/G ratio and α globulins were statistically different between Groups 1 and 2. There was no statistical difference between groups with total, β and γ globulins. The findings from this study suggest that dogs with mild and severe babesiosis had low total serum proteins, albumin, A/G ratio and a globulins; dogs with complicated babesiosis showed no typical serum protein changes or patterns; and that there was no evidence of an acute-phase response detectable on serum protein electrophoresis in any of the 3 groups. A marked acute-phase response was, however, present, as measured by the α1-acid glycoprotein, in all 3 groups. As this was a retrospective study, the possibility that the observed responses were due in part to concurrent disease could not be excluded.