Haematobiochemical profiles of cows shedding acid-fast bacilli vis-à-vis normal cows

The present study was undertaken to assess haematobiochemical alterations in 45 crossbred cows tested positive for JD in Johnin test and acid-fast bacilli in rectal pinch. The blood samples were collected from all cows under study to estimate haematobiochemical parameters. Hemoglobin and PCV was low in 53.3 and 64.4% of AFB shedding cows, respectively. Chronic diarrhoea was present in 42.2% of AFB shedding cows. The prevalence rate of anemia was high (64%) in diarrhoeic compared to non-diarrhoeic AFB shedding cows (36%). Anemia was of normocytic-normochromic type and of mild to moderate degree. Normal plasma iron and TIBC was seen in 48.8% of AFB shedding cows. Hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia were observed in 15.5% of AFB shedding cows. Correlation coefficients between Hb-albumin and PCV-albumin were negative and nonsignificant. Low A: G ratio was observed in 15.5% and TPP: Fib. ratio was low in 40% of cows. Mean concentrations of plasma urea nitrogen and total plasma cholesterol was significantly low in cows shedding AFB. The study concluded that anemia was more prevalent in clinically JD cows. Anemia was of normocytic-normochromic type. Biochemical parameters, viz. plasma iron, TIBC, TPP, albumin, plasma urea nitrogen and total cholesterol were significantly low in JD cows.