Measuring acute phase proteins (haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, serum amyloid A, and fibrinogen) in healthy and infectious bursal disease virus-infected chicks.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the changes of acute phase proteins (APPs) in healthy and infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV)-infected chicks. Blood samples were taken from 20 healthy chicks as control group and 45 and 20 chicks with mild and severe clinical signs of IBDV, respectively. Sera were isolated and measurement of haptoglobin (Hp), ceruloplasmin, serum amyloid A (SAA), and fibrinogen were done for all chicks using validated methods. Results showed significant differences in ceruloplasmin and SAA between healthy and infected chicks ( P < 0.05). Sera of infected chicks showed a significant decrease in ceruloplasmin level but a significant increase in SAA level ( P < 0.05). These differences were more prominent in severely infected chicks than in mildly infected chicks. There were no significant differences in fibrinogen and Hp between healthy and infected chicks ( P > 0.05). It can be concluded that in naturally occurring gumboro, a significant decrease in ceruloplasmin and a significant increase in SAA are expected. Among the APPs measured in this study, SAA appears to be the most sensitive parameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]