Evaluation of some acute phase proteins in calves naturally infected with cryptosporidiosis

Diarrhea is a leading cause of neonatal calf mortality, resulting in substantial economic losses in the livestock industry. Cryptosporidiosis, a major infectious etiology of diarrhea in neonatal calves, is characterized by high mor- bidity. This study aimed to evaluate the acute-phase response in calves with cryptosporidiosis, with a particular focus on the roles of haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA) in disease prognosis. A total of 15 calves diagnosed with cryptosporidiosis and 10 healthy calves were included in the study. Clinical assessments and oocyst scoring were conducted on days 0, 3, 5, and 7, alongside evaluation of the hematological and serum biochemical parameters. A standard treatment protocol was administered to calves diagnosed with cryptosporidiosis. The results indicated a significant reduction in oocyst shedding by the end of the study period, following treatment. The mean Hp levels in the infected calves exhibited an increasing trend. However, SAA levels demonstrated fluctuations throughout the monitoring period. In conclusion, while Hp and SAA play roles in the acute-phase response, their utility as prognostic biomarkers for cryptosporidiosis in neonatal calves appears to be limited. Comprehensive studies are needed to better understand the inflammatory process in naturally infected cryptosporidiosis.