Comparative study of plasma proteins including haptoglobin and serum amyloid A in different types of traumatic reticuloperitonitis in cattle

Traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP) is a relatively common disorder in adult cattle which could appear in various forms including local peritonitis, diffuse peritonitis, acute pericarditis, and chronic peritonitis. The objective of the present study was to compare the changes of plasma proteins including haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA) as acute phase proteins (APPs) in various types of TRP in cattle. Blood samples were collected from 73 cows: 53 cases of TRP and 20 healthy control subjects. Measurements of plasma proteins were done using validated methods. Results showed that SAA and Hp had very similar pattern and magnitude of changes in various types of TRP and revealed significant increase in acute diffuse peritonitis (312.4 μg/mL and 2.16 g/L, respectively) compared with other types of the disease (P <0.05). Fibrinogen (660 mg/dL), alpha-globulin (24.5 g/L), and total protein (87.7 g/L) had their maximal increase in acute diffuse peritonitis too. Beta- and gamma-globulins increased significantly in traumatic pericarditis and chronic peritonitis, respectively. Albumin revealed significant decrease in acute local peritonitis (20.9 g/L), but it was increased significantly in acute diffuse peritonitis (34.5 g/L) compared with other groups (P<0.05). The results of the present work showed that patterns of changes in plasma proteins including APPs might be different according to the type of TRP studied. This could be taken into consideration in clinical practice where it might be of potential benefit in correct diagnosis of the specific type of TRP. © Springer-Verlag London Limited 2008.