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Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire2004; 68(3); 193-200;

Clinical signs and hematologic, cytokine, and plasma nitric oxide alterations in response to Strongylus vulgaris infection in helminth-naïve ponies.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of infection with Strongylus vulgaris on serum cytokines and plasma nitric oxide (NO) concentrations in helminth-naive ponies. Group 1 (n = 21) was given 500 S. vulgaris L3 larvae and group 2 (n = 7) received a saline control. Ponies were monitored daily for clinical signs, and blood was collected for complete blood cell counts and serum cytokines (TNF, IL-1, IL-6) quantification. Group 1 ponies were depressed, anorexic, and febrile for variable periods of time. Plasma NO was increased on day 21 in group 1 and on days 9 and 21 in group 2. Significant increases in total white blood cell counts, fibrinogen, and plasma protein concentrations in group 1 were found. Significant decreases in red blood cell counts and packed cell volume were also noted in group 1. There were no differences in serum cytokines across time in either group of ponies. Despite the lack of proinflammatory cytokine induction with the apparent inflammatory response to S. vulgaris there is evidence of a potential role of NO. S. vulgaris S. vulgaris
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Publication Date: 2004-09-09 PubMed ID: 15352544PubMed Central: PMC1142139
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • Non-P.H.S.

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article evaluates the impact of Strongylus vulgaris (a type of parasite) infection on the levels of certain substances in the blood (cytokines and nitric oxide) of ponies that had not previously been exposed to such parasites.

Objective and Methodology

The fundamental aim of this study was to investigate the changes that occur in blood compounds like cytokines (proteins involved in cell signalling) and nitric oxide (NO; a vital chemical compound) when ponies are infected with Strongylus vulgaris. This worm is responsible for certain types of colic in horses and has never been encountered by the ponies in the study.

Two groups of ponies were studied. The first group (21 ponies) was deliberately infected with the S. vulgaris larvae, while the second group (7 ponies) was given a saline control (no infection induced).

Procedure and Evaluation

The researchers monitored the ponies daily for signs of illness and regularly collected blood samples for various analyses.

  • The blood samples were checked for alterations in complete blood cell counts and the levels of specific cytokines (namely TNF, IL-1, and IL-6).
  • Other responses that were checked included behaviour changes (such as depression or loss of appetite), fever episodes, nitric oxide levels in plasma, and presence of fibrinogen and plasma proteins.

Results and Interpretation

The infected group exhibited signs of illness, including depression, decreased appetite, and fever, albeit for varying lengths of time.

Regarding blood sample analyses:

  • Plasma nitric oxide was found to be increased on the 21st day post-infection in Group 1, while it also increased in the control group ponies on the 9th and 21st days.
  • Significant increases were documented in white blood cell counts, fibrinogen, and plasma protein levels in the infected group, indicating infection and inflammatory response.
  • The same group also presented notable decreases in red blood cell count and packed cell volume, suggesting possible anemia.
  • However, there was no significant change observed in the levels of serum cytokines over time in either group, indicating that induction of these particular proinflammatory cytokines does not seem to occur in response to S. Vulgaris infection.

As per the study findings, despite no changes in cytokine levels, the apparent inflammatory response to S. vulgaris and the associated increase in nitric oxide levels imply that nitric oxide could play a crucial role in responding to this infection. Further studies will be required to prove this hypothesis and to elaborate on the exact mechanism of this interaction.

Cite This Article

APA
Hubert JD, Seahorn TL, Klei TR, Hosgood G, Horohov DW, Moore RM. (2004). Clinical signs and hematologic, cytokine, and plasma nitric oxide alterations in response to Strongylus vulgaris infection in helminth-naïve ponies. Can J Vet Res, 68(3), 193-200.

Publication

Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire
ISSN: 0830-9000
NlmUniqueID: 8607793
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 68
Issue: 3
Pages: 193-200

Researcher Affiliations

Hubert, Jeremy D
  • Equine Studies Health Program, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803-8410, USA. jhubert@vetmed.lsu.edu
Seahorn, Thomas L
    Klei, Thomas R
      Hosgood, Giselle
        Horohov, David W
          Moore, Rustin M

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Animals, Newborn
            • Cytokines / blood
            • Erythrocyte Count / veterinary
            • Female
            • Horses
            • Interleukin-1 / blood
            • Interleukin-6 / blood
            • Leukocyte Count / veterinary
            • Male
            • Nitric Oxide / blood
            • Strongyle Infections, Equine / blood
            • Strongyle Infections, Equine / immunology
            • Strongylus / immunology
            • Strongylus / pathogenicity

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            Citations

            This article has been cited 1 times.
            1. Moudgil AD, Prashar A, Moudgil P, Sharma A, Sharma M. Cyathostomum catinatum infection in a mule of Palam Valley, India: a case report. J Parasit Dis 2017 Jun;41(2):534-537.
              doi: 10.1007/s12639-016-0845-7pubmed: 28615874google scholar: lookup
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