Giardia and Cryptosporidium infections in neonatal reindeer calves : Relation to the acute phase response

• Published in: Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
• Main Authors: Niine, Tarmo, Peetsalu, Kristel, Nieminen, Mauri, Oksanen, Antti, Soveri, Timo, Orro, Toomas
• Other Authors: Departments of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Production Animal Medicine
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: ELSEVIER SCI IRELAND LTD 2020
• Subjects: Semi-domesticated reindeer; Giardia infection; Acute phase response; Serum amyloid A; SERUM AMYLOID-A; DAIRY CALVES; IMMUNE-RESPONSE; INFLAMMATORY DISEASES; RANGIFER-TARANDUS; TEMPORAL-CHANGES; BEEF-CALVES; CATTLE; HAPTOGLOBIN; PROTEINS; Plant biology; microbiology; virology; Veterinary science; Rangifer tarandus; Lapland
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10138/311058

This longitudinal observational study was conducted to investigate the spontaneous effect of Giardia and Cryptosporidium infections on acute phase response (APR) in reindeer calves (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in Finnish Lapland. Serum (n = 609) and faecal samples (n = 366) were collected from 54 reindeer calves aged zero to 33 days. The samples were analysed for Giardia, Cryptosporidium, acute phase proteins (APP) and gamma-globulins. Linear regression models were used to investigate associations of early Giardia infection (before 12 days of life) with the response of APPs and acquiring of passive immunity. Giardia was detected in 100% and Cryptosporidium in 23% of calves. There was a negative association between early Giardia infection and gamma-globulin concentrations (p = 0.032) and a positive association with serum amyloid A (SAA) concentrations (p = 0.042). The results suggest a protective effect of colostrum against Giardia infection and that early infection may induce activation of APR. Peer reviewed