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Protein electrophoresis in cranes with presumed insect bite hypersensitivity
Author(s) -
Hartup, Barry K.,
Schroeder Carrie A.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
veterinary clinical pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.537
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1939-165X
pISSN - 0275-6382
DOI - 10.1111/j.1939-165x.2006.tb00119.x
Subject(s) - serum protein electrophoresis , agarose gel electrophoresis , globulin , medicine , delayed hypersensitivity , immunology , biology , pathology , antigen , antibody , monoclonal , biochemistry , monoclonal antibody , gene
Background: Serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) has emerged as a potentially valuable diagnostic tool in avian medicine; yet, there is limited information regarding SPE in cranes. Since 2000, 20 cases of unilateral periocular or facial soft tissue swelling, blepharitis, feather loss, and ocular or nasal discharge attributed to insect bite hypersensitivity were observed in cranes from a captive breeding center. SPE may be useful for evaluating these lesions. Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize the inflammatory response in cranes with hypersensitivity reactions using SPE. Methods: Serum samples from 7 cranes diagnosed with hypersensitivity reactions were submitted to a diagnostic laboratory for agarose gel electrophoresis. Results were compared to those in control serum samples obtained from the same cranes during routine physical examination, when they were clinically healthy. Results: Total protein and α‐ and γ‐globulin concentrations were significantly increased and albumin/globulin ratios were significantly decreased in serum samples from cranes with hypersensitivity lesions compared with control samples. Conclusions: Using SPE, we documented changes in protein fraction concentrations in cranes with clinical signs of hypersensitivity. The increase in α‐ and γ‐globulin concentrations suggested inflammation and antigenic stimulation, consistent with a Type I hypersensitivity reaction.