COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF HAEMO-BIOCHEMICAL PROFILE OF PESTE DES PETITS RUMINANTS INFECTED SHEEP AND GOATS IN SOUTH EAST NIGERIA

Abstract

Haemo-biochemical profile of small ruminants within age range 12-18 months exhibiting clinical signs suggestive of PPR was studied. Blood samples (5 ml) were collected from 80 small ruminants (SR) (51 sheep and 29 goats) displaying a combination of the following clinical signs: nasal and ocular discharges, coughing, diarrhoea, respiratory distress, ulcerative stomatitis, weakness, emaciation. The haemo-biochemical profile and presence of PPRV antibodies were determined using standard techniques and competitive ELISA kit respectively. A total of 51 (32 sheep and 19 goats) sera samples were positive to the PPRV antibody while 29 (19 sheep and 10 goats) were negative. Significant increases (p<0.05) in the packed cell volume (PCV) and red blood cell (RBC), and significant decrease (p<0.05) in mean white blood cell (WBC) and platelet counts were observed in PPRV seropositive goats when compared with seronegative goats. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the haematologic profile between PPRV seropositive and seronegative sheep. Significant increases (p<0.05) were recorded in aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), urea and creatinine, and significant decreases (p<0.05) in total protein (TP), albumin and potassium of PPRV seropositive sheep and goats when compared to seronegative sheep and goats. PPRV seropositive goats had significant higher (p<0.05) total bilirubin (TB) and significant lower (p<0.05) sodium level than seronegative goats. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the TB and sodium level between PPRV seropositive and seronegative sheep. The haemo-biochemical profile of PPRV infected goats showed more significant alterations when compared to those of sheep.