Determination of serum amyloid A, haptoglobin and hepcidin levels in calves with endemic viral pneumonia

The aim of this study was to investigate serum amyloid A, haptoglobin and hepcidin levels in respiratory infections caused by various viral agents in calves. Pneumonia is an infectious or non-infectious disease affecting the lungs of all animals, and during the inflammation, blood levels of acute phase proteins increase rapidly. Hepcidin is a hormone that has many functions and is known as type II acute phase reactant. The blood samples were collected from a total of 20 calves to form the study group. The control group consisted of 10 healthy animals. Sera were analyzed with ELISA for antigen detection. According to the results, Bovine herpesvirus type-I (BHV-1) was positive in 3 calves, Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) was positive in 3 calves, Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) was positive in 1 calf, and Bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 (BPJ3) was positive in 1 calf. Adenovirus infection was detected in 5 animals together with other viruses. Mixed infections were observed in 12 calves. Haptoglobin, serum amyloid A and hepcidin values were measured in sera. According to the results, statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups for the haptoglobin (P<0.01), serum amyloid A (P<0.05) and hepcidin (P<0.05). It was concluded that these parameters can be used to support the diagnosis of respiratory infections of the calves.