CHANGES IN SERUM PARAMETERS IN CHRONIC NATURAL INFECTION WITH FASCIOLA HEPATICA IN SHEEP

Fasciolosis is a re-emerging zoonosis classified by WHO as a neglected tropical disease with a significant impact on human and animal health and is considered a major One Health problem. Fasciolosis is one of the most important parasitic diseases of domestic ruminants, with a cosmopolitan distribution, particularly prevalent in countries with developed sheep production. The objective of the study was to analyse the evolution of serum parameters in animals with chronic fasciolosis in naturally-infested sheep. Blood and faecal samples were collected simultaneously from sheep from a private farm in Lipova, Arad County. Faecal samples were examined by the successive washings method for evidence of trematode eggs, and serum samples were evaluated with the RxDaytona+ automatic multiparametric analyser for evidence of alka-line phosphatase (AP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), total protein and albumin. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) had values below the reference limit in most animals. Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is the enzyme of diagnostic value in chronic fasciolosis and is elevated above the upper limit of the reference value. Alkaline phosphatase and serum albumin are within the reference values in all animals investigated. Total proteins had values three times higher than the reference values.