engleski

Liver enzymes and blood metabolites in a population of free-ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus) naturally infected with Fascioloides magna

We investigated the effects of Fascioloides magna infection on the serum biochemistry values in the naturally infected red deer population in eastern Croatia. The investigation was performed on 47 Red deer with F. magna infection confirmed pathoanatomically in 27 animals (57.4%). Fibrous capsules and migratory lesions were found in 14 deer while only fibrous capsules without migratory lesions were found in 13 deer. In 13 deer both immature and mature flukes were found, in 5 deer only immature flukes were found and in 9 deer only mature flukes were found. F. magna infected deer with fibrous capsules and migratory lesions had significantly higher values for LDH, GLDH and globulin and lower values for albumin/globulin ratio and glucose compared to uninfected deer. F. magna infected deer with fibrous capsules without the presence of migratory lesions had higher values for ALT and globulin and lower values for albumin/globulin ratio and glucose than the uninfected deer. The number of immature flukes was in positive correlation to AST, GGT, LDH, GLDH, urea and triglycerides values. The number of migratory lesions was in positive correlation to GGT, GLDH, globulin and urea values. Creatinine value was positively correlated to the number of mature flukes. The trial showed that F. magna infection causes significant changes in serum biochemistry. Moreover, these changes do not completely resemble changes following F. hepatica infection. Further investigation of changes in liver enzymes and other serum metabolites in controlled, experimentally induced fascioloidosis in red deer is needed to better understand the pathogenesis of F. magna.

Fascioloides magna; Croatia; red deer; liver enzymes; blood metabolites

nije evidentirano