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Von Willebrand factor antigen, F VIII activity and fibrinogen concentration in babesiosis of dogs

Rationale. Babesia canis is intra-erythrocytic protozoan parasite transmitted by ticks to dogs in which parasites induce babesiosis, a disease that resembles human malaria. Parasitised erythrocytes induce acute phase response and activation of coagulation system. Much of a disease process in babesiosis could be explained by the host inflammatory response to the parasite. Thrombocytopenia is a primary laboratory finding in babesiosis. vWF is a multimeric plasma glycoprotein synthesized by endothelial cells and megakaryocytes. It is a carrier of the procoagulant factor VIII (FVIII). Fibrinogen plays a central role in hemostasis and it's also an acute phase protein. The aim of this study was to assess the level of coagulation activation and acute phase response. Materials and Methods. Samples of blood were obtained from healthy dogs and dogs with babesiosis, before (N=17) and 24h after (N=10) the antiparasitic therapy. The plasma concentration of vWF was measured using ASSERACHROM vWF:Ag immunoassay detection kit. Concentration of fibrinogen and FVIII were measured using coagulometric methods. Results were compared with healthy dogs. Statistical analysis of data were carried out by the Mann-Whitney test, at p < 0, 05 significance level. Results. Dogs with babesiosis had significantly increased fibrinogen concentration before the treatment and significantly decreased vWF concentration and platelets number compared with healthy dogs. FVIII concentration didn't showed significant change. Conclusions. As an acute phase protein, fibrinogen demonstrated inflammatory state, which represents source of various cytokines with impact on vWF release from endothelial cells. Earlier studies between vWF values and inflammatory markers are contradictory and our study showed decrease due to the enhanced haemostasis. Linkage between inflammation and coagulation indicate complex relationship important for the clinical interpretation of vWF measurements.

babesiosis; factor VIII activity; von Willebrand factor

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