Perturbation of liver function markers and serum electrolytes associated with Echinococcus granulosus infection in sheep

Abstract

Histopathological alterations in the liver of intermediated hosts infected with Echinococcus granulosus parasite can be occurred by necrotic expansion as a result of an increase in growth of the parasite larva stage (metacestode), which may cause perturbation in production of liver function markers. Thus, this study aims to determinate the liver biochemical profile and some serum electrolytes of E. granulosus-infected sheep at different hydatid cyst infection ratios (IRs). fifty livers from naturally E. granulosus-infected sheep with five livers from uninfected-sheep as a control group were enrolled in this study. Cardiac blood samples under sterilized conditions were gently collected and isolated sera were biochemically assayed for determination of liver function markers including; Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Albumin (ALB) and total protein (TP), as well as the level of some serum electrolytes including Ca, K, Na and Cl using fully automatic biochemical analyzer, FUJI-Film. The current data indicated a progressive increase in the level of AST, ALT, ALP, Ca and K. The level of ALB and TP were gradually declined with a rise of liver infection ratio with hydatid cysts. In conclusion, the current findings indicated perturbation of liver function markers and the level of some serum electrolytes, mainly Ca and K in E. granulosus-infected sheep based on the infection ratio of liver. Additionally, acute and chronic infection of E. granulosus parasites in sheep can be determined based on the level of liver function markers in serum.