Quantitative changes in serum concentration of bovine gut chitinase in Theileria infection.

Abstract

Bovine gut chitinase is exclusively produced in the liver and secreted into the blood. In the present study, we established a semi-quantitative method by Western blot analysis for measurement of the chitinase content in blood and examined its alteration during postnatal development and experimental infection with hemoprotozoan parasite in cattle. Its serum levels from 1 week to 1 year of age showed a significant increase only in 3-4-month-old group. The plasma concentration of the gut chitinase was not changed during acute inflammation caused by lipopolysaccharide but increased gradually after a Theileria injection and peaked at 52 days post-infection. It appears that the increase in the blood chitinase levels might be a defensive response in cattle against protozoan infection.

• Authors: Wakako Fujimoto, Kazuhiro Kimura, Masako Suzuki, Bunei Syuto, Misao Onuma, Toshihiko Iwanaga
• Journal: The Journal of veterinary medical science (J Vet Med Sci) Vol. 66 Issue 3 Pg. 291-4 (Mar 2004) ISSN: 0916-7250 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 15107559 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Chitinases

Topics

• Animals
• Blotting, Western
• Cattle
• Cattle Diseases (blood, parasitology)
• Chitinases (blood)
• Longitudinal Studies
• Theileria
• Theileriasis (blood, parasitology)