Open Access
Research (Published online: 26-10-2018)
22. The effect of Toxoplasma gondii on plasma serotonin concentration in sheep
Annamaria Castello, Giuseppe Bruschetta, Renato Paolo Giunta, Anna Maria Fausta Marino and Alida Maria Ferlazzo
Veterinary World, 11(10): 1500-1505

Annamaria Castello: Italian National Reference Center for Toxoplasmosis (Ce.Tox) - Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Sicily (IZS), Via Passo Gravina 195, 95125 Catania, Italy.
Giuseppe Bruschetta: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy.
Renato Paolo Giunta: Italian National Reference Center for Toxoplasmosis (Ce.Tox) - Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Sicily (IZS), Via Passo Gravina 195, 95125 Catania, Italy.
Anna Maria Fausta Marino: Italian National Reference Center for Toxoplasmosis (Ce.Tox) - Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Sicily (IZS), Via Passo Gravina 195, 95125 Catania, Italy.
Alida Maria Ferlazzo: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy.

doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2018.1500-1505

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Article history: Received: 29-05-2018, Accepted: 19-09-2018, Published online: 26-10-2018

Corresponding author: Anna Maria Fausta Marino

E-mail: annamaria.marino@izssicilia.it

Citation: Castello A, Bruschetta G, Giunta RP, Marino AMF, Ferlazzo AM (2018) The effect of Toxoplasma gondii on plasma serotonin concentration in sheep, Veterinary World, 11(10): 1500-1505.
Abstract

Background and Aim: Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite that commonly infects warm-blooded animals, including humans. Virtually all species can be infected, but a species-specific variability is evident, in terms of both type and severity of the symptoms encountered. As serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) plays an important regulatory role in both physiological and immune responses, the aim of this research was to assess whether toxoplasmosis disease could affect plasma 5-HT concentration and/or hematochemical parameters in a particularly susceptible species to infection as sheep.

Materials and Methods: 5-HT plasma levels were analyzed in platelet-poor plasma fraction by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Blood count and hematochemical parameters were evaluated. Total proteins (TPs), glucose (Glu), and lactate dehydrogenase were determined by a spectrophotometer.

Results: Results showed significantly higher levels in plasma 5-HT, monocytes, and TP and significantly lower levels of Glu, in infected sheep compared to the control group.

Conclusion: Results could support the hypothesis of an effect of toxoplasmosis infection on plasma 5-HT concentrations in sheep. More research is needed to assess the function of 5-HT in the regulation of infected sheep's immune responses.

Keywords: monocytes, plasma, serotonin, serum, sheep, toxoplasmosis.

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