Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dogs with Hepatozoon canis make more glutathione and nitric oxide
By Kiral, Funda et al.·Published in Veterinary parasitology·2005·Department of Biochemistry·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Dogs with Hepatozoon canis respond to the oxidative stress by increased production of glutathione and nitric oxide.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 14 dogs infected with Hepatozoon canis, a disease spread by ticks, showed signs of increased oxidative stress, which is the body's response to infection. Blood tests revealed higher levels of certain substances that help fight off the infection, indicating that the dogs' bodies were working hard to defend themselves. The study also confirmed the presence of the parasite through blood tests. While the dogs were dealing with the infection, their bodies produced more glutathione and nitric oxide, which are important for fighting off parasites. The findings suggest that these increased levels may help the dogs cope with the disease.
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Abstract
Canine hepatozoonosis is a disease caused by the tick-borne protozoan Hepatozoon spp. It has been reported in the United States, southern Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Far East. In Turkey, canine hepatozoonosis was reported for the first time in 1933. In the present study, serum glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and ceruloplasmin levels were analysed in 14 dogs infected with Hepatozoon canis as well as in 10 healthy dogs. Blood smears were prepared from peripheral blood and ticks were collected for identification in the laboratory. Rhipicephalus sanguineus was found only on diseased dogs. No ticks were observed on healthy dogs. The diagnosis of H. canis is made mainly by the detection of gametocytes within neutrophils and monocytes. The haematological diagnosis was confirmed using PCR analyses by amplifying a partial 18S rRNA gene sequence of Hepatozoon spp. Infection was detected in 14 animals. Compared to controls, the serum GSH, MDA and NO levels in infected animals increased significantly (p<0.05, <0.01 for MDA), whereas the concentrations of ceruloplasmin in diseased animals remained unaltered. The results of the present study suggest that in dogs infected with H. canis increased levels of GSH, MDA and NO may be related to host's defences against parasitic infection.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15936891/