Determination of Possible Potential Biomarker Between Plasma Arginase, Gelsolin and Cystatin C in Sheep Babesiosis: Based on Parasitemia Rate

The aim of this study was to assay arginase activity, gelsolin (GLS) and cystatin c (Cys c) levels and determination of potential biomarker in sheep babesiosis. The Babesia genus as pathogen blood parasites causes economic problems in livestock management. Many published studies have suggested babesiosis-induced biochemical parameters, but no one have determined those parameters alterations and clarification of sensitivity and specificity. Sheep with acute babesiosis were identified based on clinical signs and the observation of Piroplasm forms in red blood cells. After blood sampling from 25 infected and same number healthy sheep, above parameters measured in plasma. The results indicated significant increase (P<0.01) in arginase and Cys c and significant decreases (P<0.01) in the levels of GLS in different parasitemia rates compared with healthy group. In conclusion, the results suggested that sheep babesiosis causes cellular damage especially in kidney (owing to high level of Cys c) and high arginase activity can be considered as one of essential factor in Babesia ovis proliferation process. Finally, high sensitivity of Cys c and arginase in the different parasitemia rates than GLS could be clarified as potential biomarker of sheep babesiosis