Clinical, Haematological, Biochemical and Pathological Findings in Lambs with Peste des Petits Ruminants

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine clinical, haematological, biochemical and pathological findings in Sakız crossbred lambs with Peste des Petits Ruminants, using a competitive enzyme linked immunosorbet assay (c-ELISA). In the study, 12 lambs infected with PPR 4 to 6 months age and diff erent sexes were used. Furthermore, 6 clinically healthy lambs were also used as control group. High fever, anorexia, salivation, pneumonia, diarrhea, erosive or necrotic stomatitis on the mucosae of lips, cheek and tongue, purulent ocular and nasal discharges were observed in infected lambs. In the haematological examination, White blood cell (WBCs), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) parameters were significantly increased, but haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBCs), peak cell volume (PCV) and platelets (PLT) parameters were decreased in infected group. According to the biochemical examination, serum gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), alanin aminotransferaz (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) concentrations were significantly higher in infected group compared to those of control group. In the histopathological examinations, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and syncytial cell formation in the lumen of alveoles, in lung and also erosive stomatitis with syncytial cells were seen. Furthermore, nuclear or cytoplasmic virus-associated inclusions were detected both epithelial and syncytial cells. In immunohistochemical examination, virus-associated antigens were found most frequently in the cytoplasm and rarely in the nucleus. Results of the present study indicated that infection with PPR in lambs provide valuable datas about clinical, haematological, biochemical and histopathological findings.