Abstract
The pathogenesis of Fasciola gigantica-induced anaemia was experimentally investigated in riverine buffalo yearlings of Murrah breed. Eight male buffaloes, aged 12–15 months were randomly assigned to two groups (infected animals (Gr-I) and healthy controls (Gr-II)) of four animals each. Animals in Gr-I were orally administered 800 F. gigantica metacercariae (bubaline origin). Animals in Gr-II, served as uninfected healthy controls. Weekly fluctuations in the haematological parameters and egg per gram of feaces were monitored until day 112 post-infection. The infection caused a significant increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate, total leucocyte counts and eosinophils and a significant fall (p < 0.01) in haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume and total erythrocyte counts. The percentage fall in the erythrocytic indices was the highest during late prepatency and at times touched critical levels. Further analysis of the data revealed that the Gr-I suffered from the normocytic normochromic anaemia during pre-patency (up to week 6 PI). Subsequently, the picture shifted to macrocytic hypochromic anaemia. The Gr-II were in perfect health and within normal range fluctuations of above parameters throughout the period of investigation. Possible sequence of events vis-à-vis deleterious effects of the fluke on circulating erythrocytes have been discussed during the course of the disease.
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Acknowledgements
We thankfully acknowledge financial support from World Bank, through Programme Implementation Unit (PIU), National Agriculture Technology Project (NATP) authorities, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India. The research data presented here in constitute an integral part of the NATP (CGP) project, Code no C-21569, duly approved at national level by the competent authority.
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Edith, R., Sharma, R.L., Godara, R. et al. Experimental studies on anaemia in riverine buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) infected with Fasciola gigantica . Comp Clin Pathol 21, 415–419 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-010-1109-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-010-1109-z