Serum platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase and paraoxonase-1 activity in horses infected with Leptospira spp.

This research investigates if there is a significant change in the activity of two important enzymes (platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase and paraoxonase-1) in horses infected with Leptospira spp, a bacteria that can cause illness in horses.

Objective of the Study

• The main purpose of the research was to assess the impact on the activity levels of platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) and paraoxonase-1 (PON1) enzymes in horses infected with Leptospira spp. The focus was on these two enzymes due to their recognized anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties.

Study Groups and Methodology

• A total of 63 horses’ sera (blood serum) already undergoing routine serological tests for leptospirosis in 2009 in Croatia were chosen for this study.
• These sera were categorized into three groups according to the level of antibody titre against Leptospira spp. The groups were those without leptospirosis (antibody titre below 50), those with residual or old antibody titre (50-200), and those with a high antibody titre indicating a recent Leptospira infection (1600 and above).

Results and Findings

• The study found no significant difference in the activity of PAF-AH and PON1 enzymes between the groups. This also applied to lipid status parameters.
• However, a significant positive correlation was discovered between PAF-AH and PON1 with total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C).

Implications of the Findings

• The findings suggest that, in horses with subclinical leptospirosis, there may be low levels of systemic inflammatory response and oxidative stress.
• The study mentions the need for further research involving horses with clinically manifested leptospirosis to better understand the potential role of PAF-AH and PON1 as prognostic markers in the outcome of leptospirosis.