Serological and biochemical studies on cattle naturally infested with taenia saginata cysticercosis

Diagnosis of Taenia saginata (T. saginata) cysticercosis in naturally infected cattle by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is the main purpose of the current study. Also determination of Cysticercus bovis (C. bovis) effect on haematology and serum biochemistry was performed as additional approach for diagnosis. Blood samples were collected from 75 slaughtered cattle at El-Basateen abattoir. Post-mortem examination of slaughtered cattle showed 4% infected cases with T. saginata cysticerci. The results of ELISA revealed 29. 3% seropositive samples with C. bovis using crude antigen. Optical density (OD) values of positive investigated samples were classified into three categories; high (6. 7%), moderate (4%) and low (18. 7%). The crude extract was fractionated on Diethyl-Aminoethyl (DEAE) cellulose column. Two partially purified antigens were obtained [P1=unadsorbed (-ve) and P2=adsorbed (+ve)]. Electrophortic separation of crude antigen of C. bovis showed 13 bands with molecular weight starting from 235 to 14 kDa. While, P1 and P2 had 5 and 8 bands, respectively. Western immunoblotting of separated antigens against hyperimmune serum developed only one band at 57 kDa. The results revealed that there was no effect on haematological parameters while, there was a significant decrease in total serum proteins (P<0.05) of infested cattle. High levels of albumin and α1-globulin in infested cattle were recorded compared to non-infested group. However, in all seropositive categories, marked (P<0.05) increase in γ - globulin levels than non-infested cattle was observed. The activity of Aspartate amino transferase (AST) in serum was markedly (P<0.05) decreased in low infested cattle compared to non-infected. In all groups of infestation, total serum cholesterol and urea levels were decreased (P<0.05) particularly in highly infested cattle. On the other hand, creatinine level was increased significantly (P<0.05) in serum of highly infested cattle compared to non-infested ones. In conclusion, performance characteristics of ELISA suggest its field applicability in bovine cysticercosis outbreaks. As well as alteration in liver and kidney functions could be considered a marker for T. saginata cysticercosis in cattle.