Serum haptoglobin concentration and liver enzyme activity as indicators of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and survival of sick calves

Abstract

Background: Increased concentration of haptoglobin (Hp) in serum is associated with survival of critically ill humans and horses. High serum activity of liver-derived enzyme is associated with sepsis in children and foals.

Hypothesis/objectives: Investigate whether admission serum Hp and glutamic dehydrogenase (GLDH) are associated with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and survival of sick calves.

Animals: One hundred two calves.

Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Electronic medical records from all calves <30 days of age admitted to a teaching hospital for 8 years were reviewed. The signalment, clinicopathological findings, the presence of SIRS, final diagnosis, hospitalization time and outcome were recorded. A Cox proportional hazard ratio (HzR) were calculated to assess the association between clinicopathological variables and survival to discharge.

Results: Serum Hp concentrations were similar between SIRS (0.29 g/L; range, 0.05-3.6) and non-SIRS calves (0.22 g/L; range, 0-4.2; P = .62). GLDH activity was similar between SIRS (12 U/L; range, 1-1025) and non-SIRS calves (9 U/L; range, 2-137; P = .2). Absent suckle reflex (HzR: 6.44, 95% CI: 1.44-28.86), heart rate (HR) < 100 beats per minute (bpm; HzR: 12.2; 95% CI: 2.54-58.62), HR > 140 bpm (HzR: 3.59, 95% CI: 1.05-12.33), neutrophil count <1.7 × 10⁹ /L (HzR: 7.36; 95% CI: 2.03-26.66) and increased gamma-glutamyl transferase activity (every 50-unit, HzR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.03-1.21) were predictive of nonsurvival.

Conclusions and clinical importance: The use of Hp and GLDH for prediction of survival in sick calves cannot be recommended at this time.

Keywords: GGT; GLDH; acute phase proteins; calf; mortality.