Hematologic, Histopathological, and Inflammatory Biomarkers associated with Bovine Respiratory Disease in Calves

Abstract

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) poses a significant health concern in cattle, particularly in calves, leading to substantial economic losses in the livestock industry. Early and accurate detection of BRD is crucial for effective management and treatment. Understanding the changes in these biomarkers between healthy and BRD-affected animals can provide valuable insights into the disease progression and pathophysiology. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic potential of hematologic, histopathological, and biochemical biomarkers for detecting bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in calves. Twenty-four calves, split evenly between healthy and BRD-affected, were analyzed for various markers. BRD-affected calves showed significantly higher levels of White blood cell counts, cytokines, acute phase proteins, immunoglobulins, and oxidative biomarkers, while demonstrating lower mean corpuscular volume (MCV), hemoglobin (HCT), albumin, and RBC values. Histopathological analysis revealed distinct findings in different BRD phases. The study suggests that elevated acute phase proteins, immunoglobulins, neutrophils, and specific WBC populations, along with decreased RBC count, could aid in diagnosing BRD in calves. Further research is recommended to compare these biomarkers with other respiratory disorders and explore BRD at different stages, including histopathological examination.