title: Increased cytokine and nitric oxide levels in serum of dogs experimentally infected with Rangelia vitalii.
abstract: This study aimed to measure the levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and nitrite/nitrate (NO x ) in serum of dogs experimentally infected with Rangelia vitalii. Twelve female mongrel dogs were divided into 2 groups; group A (uninfected controls) composed by healthy dogs (n=5) and group B consisting of dogs inoculated with R. vitalii (n=7). Animals were monitored by blood smear examinations, which showed intraerythrocytic forms of the parasite on day 5 post-infection (PI). Blood samples were collected through the jugular vein on days 0, 10, and 20 PI to determine the serum levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and NO x . Cytokines were assessed by ELISA quantitative sandwich technique, and NO x was measured by the modified Griess method. Cytokine levels (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6) were increased (P<0.01) in serum of infected animals. Serum levels of NO x were also increased on days 10 PI (P<0.01) and 20 PI (P<0.05) in infected animals. Therefore, the infection with R. vitalii causes an increase in proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide content. These alterations may be associated with host immune protection against the parasite.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Veterinary Clinical Analysis-LACVet, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. franchimelo@gmail.com
authors.forename: Francine C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Paim
authors.forename: Aleksandro S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Da Silva
authors.forename: Carlos Breno V
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Paim
authors.forename: Raqueli T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: França
authors.forename: Márcio M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Marta M M F
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.forename: Manuela B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Sangoi
authors.forename: Rafael N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Moresco
authors.forename: Silvia G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Monteiro
authors.forename: Sonia Terezinha A
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Lopes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002623:Chemistry Techniques, Analytical; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood*; D016792:Piroplasmida / Q000276:immunology*; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D044967:Serum / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D009569:Nitric Oxide
keywords: IFN-γ; IL-1; IL-6; Rangelia vitalii; TNF-α; immunity; nitric oxide; rangeliosis