EFFECTS OF IMIDOCARB DIPROPIONATE AND ALPHA-LIPOIC ACID IN DOGS EXPERIMENTALLY INOCULATED WITH BABESIA CANIS VOGELI

EFFECTS OF IMIDOCARB DIPROPIONATE AND ALPHA-LIPOIC ACID IN DOGS EXPERIMENTALLY INOCULATED WITH BABESIA CANIS VOGELI

Abstract:

The aim of the study was to detect, identify and characterise the Babesia canis spp. that was inoculated, and evaluate the effects of imidocarb dipropionate and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on the clinical manifestations, haemato-biochemical and oxidative stress changes in Nigerian indigenous dogs experimentally inoculated with Babesia canis vogeli. The parasite inoculated was identified parasitologically and molecularly characterised from blood sample of a Babesia canis spp-positive donor using polymerase chain reaction before experimental inoculation into the experimental dogs. Twenty-one male Nigerian indigenous dogs, aged 8 – 12 months and weighing 8 – 12 kg, were divided into 5 groups: group I (uninfected untreated, n = 4), group II (infected untreated, n = 6), group III (infected + imidocarb, n = 3), group IV (infected + ALA, n = 5) and group V (infected + imidocarb + ALA, n = 3), respectively. Infected + imidocarb dogs were administered subcutaneously with imidocarb dipropionate at 6 mg/kg and repeated 14 days after; infected + ALA dogs were given alpha-lipoic acid (15 mg/kg, orally) daily, throughout the experimental duration; and infected + imidocarb + ALA dogs were administered with a combination of imidocarb + ALA at the same doses and routes. Clinical signs and vital parameters were recorded daily. Blood samples were collected: in tripotassium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and used for haematology, erythrocyte osmotic fragility and erythrocyte malondialdehyde concentration; plain bottles were used to obtain serum for the biochemical analyses and acid citrate dextrose for platelet glutathione peroxidase. The samples were obtained before inoculation and at days 11 post-inoculation (PI), post-treatment (PT) days 8, 15 and 43, respectively. Treatment commenced at day 12 PI. Biochemical parameters activities of liver function enzymes and concentrations of oxidative stress biomarkers were analysed using commercial kits. The result showed that 576 bp gene sequence gel electrophorogram for B. canis vogeli, and mild clinical manifestations were observed.Decreased packed cell volume below the normal range was recorded in all the infected groups at days 11 PI and 15 PT, except in the infected + imidocarb + ALA group at day 15 PT (41.13 ± 2.96%). Infected + imidocarb + ALA dogs had the highest erythrocyte count at PT days 15 (6.10 ± 0.44 x 1012/L) and 43 (6.99 ± 0.56 x 1012/L). The haemoglobin concentration in all the infected groups decreased at days 11 PI and 15 PT, except in the infected + imidocarb + ALA group at day 15 PT (13.80 ± 0.91 g/dL). Lower (P < 0.05) mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentrations were recorded in the infected + imidocarb at day 11 PI (32.50 ± 0.60 g/dL), and in all the infected groups at days 8 PT and 43 PT. Decreased neutrophil and increased lymphocyte counts were obtained throughout the study period. Marked thrombocytopenia was recorded in all the infected groups at day 11 PI. At PT days 8, 15 and 43, the infected untreated dogs had the highest percentage (81.14 ± 4.34%, 86.31 ± 1.39%, 68.76 ± 5.25%) haemolysis at 0.5% NaCl concentration while the infected + imidocarb + ALA dogs had the lowest (56.43 ± 0.80%, 34.93 ± 0.37%, 56.39 ± 2.36%). The bilirubin concentration in the infected untreated dogs (14.45 ± 3.62 μmol/L) dogs was higher (P < 0.05) than the value recorded in the uninfected untreated dogs (2.69 ± 1.02 μmol/L) at day 15 PT. Lowest albumin concentrations were recorded in the infected untreated dogs (2.20 ± 0.47 g/dL) at day 11 PI, infected + ALA (1.61 ± 0.29 g/dL) at day 8 PT, infected + imidocarb (2.22 ± 0.40 g/dL) at day 15 PT, and infected untreated (2.05 ± 0.15 g/dL) at day 43 PT. Infected + imidocarb + ALA had normal albumin concentration; except at day 11 PI (2.23 ± 0.49 g/dL). Erythrocyte malondialdehyde concentration was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in all the infected groups at days 11 PI, 8 PT, 15 PT and 43 PT, respectively. Lowest serum superoxide dismutase activities were recorded in the infected untreated at PT days 15 (0.33 ± 0.05 UL) and 43 (1.83 ± 0.11 UL). A significant (P < 0.05) increase in concentration of tumour necrosis factor-alpha was obtained in all the infected groups at days 11 PI, 8 PT, 15 PT and 43 PT. The study showed that Babesia canis vogeli caused mild clinical signs. It induced macrocytic hypochromic anaemia at day 8 PT, MCV (76.50 ± 1.12 fl, 77.00 ± 0.74 fl, 72.00 ± 0.85 fl, 74.73 ± 1.63 fl) and MCHC (30.18 ± 0.28 g/dL, 29.87 ± 0.38 g/dL, 31.16 ± 0.47 g/dL, 30.40 ± 0.25 g/dL), neutropenia, lymphocytosis, marked thrombocytopenia and increased haemolysis. The study showed that treatment of experimentally-induced canine babesiosis with imidocarb dipropionate and/or ALA ameliorated the clinical signs, haemato-biochemical and oxidative stress changes in Nigerian indigenous dogs. The amelioration was more pronounced when treated with combination of imidocarb and ALA, resulting in a synergistic effect that reduced the severity of the clinical signs, haemato-biochemical and oxidative stress changes associated with canine babesiosis. A combination of imidocarb and ALA may be a promising treatment for canine babesiosis.

EFFECTS OF IMIDOCARB DIPROPIONATE AND ALPHA-LIPOIC ACID IN DOGS EXPERIMENTALLY INOCULATED WITH BABESIA CANIS VOGELI