THE CARDIAC BIOMARKER TROPONIN I AND OTHER HAEMATOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL VARIABLES IN DOWNER CAMELS (Camelus dromedarius)

The aim of the present study was to investigate the concentration of the cardiac biomarker troponin I (cTnI) as well as other haematological and biochemical parameters in downer camels. Thirty-three downer camels were examined in addition to 25 healthy controls. A complete blood count (CBC), as well as chemistry profile was determined in healthy and diseased camels. Using a point-of-care analyser employing a two-site ensyme-linked immunosorbant assay, the serum concentrations of cTnI were determined. Clinical findings included recumbency either sternally or laterally, inappetance, weak and irregular ruminal contractions, and mucopurulent nasal discharge. Eleven of the 33 camels were cured after treatment, 18 did not and the remaining 4 had died by day 20 after treatment. Compared to control camels, results CBC showed low haematocrit, leukocytosis, neutrophilia, decreased red blood cells count, decreased haemoglobin and increased MCH. Serum chemistry profile revealed hypoalbuminemia, hypoglobulinemia, and increased the serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase. Compared to controls (median 0.02 ng/mL; range, 0.00-0.08 ng/mL), the serum cTnI concentrations in downer camels (median 0.10 ng/mL; range, 0.01-2.20 ng/mL) differed significantly (P=0.019). The serum cTnI concentrations in downer camels were approximately 10 folds than controls.