Determination of C-reactive protein and neopterin in serum of diseased and bacterially infected pigs

The parameters C-reactive protein (CRP) and neopterin, which are associated with immunological reactions, were investigated in serum of healthy, diseased and with Haemophilus parasuis infected pigs. When comparing diseased young pigs with healthy young pigs significant increases of the CRP- and neopterin concentrations can be seen. The increase of the CRP-concentration was most remarkable. After the infection of SPF-piglets with Haemophilus parasuis, significantly decreased neopterin concentrations and increased CRP concentrations were determined in comparison with noninfected animals. The animals with the symptoms of arthritis and disorders of the central nervous system showed the lowest neopterin concentrations and the highest concentrations of CRP. It seems that CRP and neopterin are interesting serum parameters in pigs with regard to the recognition of immunological reactions after illness or infection.