Association of Haematological Parameters With TLR Genes in Healthy and Distemper-Infected Dogs Haematology and TLRs in Distemper.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Determining the expression levels of TLRs involved in innate and adaptive immunity in canine distemper infections would provide a significant advantage for controlling the disease. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the expression levels of the genes toll-like receptors 1-9 (TLR1-9) and haematological parameters in healthy and distemper-infected dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study material was composed of healthy dogs (n = 8) and distemper-infected dogs (n = 8). Haematologic analyses were performed on EDTA blood samples taken from the dogs, and the expression levels of TLR1-9 genes were determined. RESULTS: TLR3, TLR4 and TLR9 gene expression levels significantly differed between healthy and infected dogs (p < 0.05). The comparative analysis of the haematological parameters of the two groups revealed the presence of statistically significant differences for lymphocyte count (Lymph), lymphocyte percentage (Lymph%) and granulocyte percentage (Gran%; p < 0.05). The present study demonstrated that, in the dogs infected with distemper, based on the correlation coefficients between the expression levels of TLR1-9 genes and haematological parameters, there was a positive correlation between TLR1 and PDW, TLR4 and WBC, Gran and Gran%, TLR5 and HCT, TLR6 and Gran%, TLR7 and MCV and TLR7 and PDW and a negative correlation between TLR2 and Lymph and monocyte, TLR3 and WBC and TLR5 and RDW. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that more studies are needed to understand the effect of TLRs and haematological parameters on the course and prognosis of the distemper diseases.