Investigation of anemia and electrocardiographic findings in cattle with theileriosis

The aim of this study is to determine the changes that may occur in the heart according to the degree of anemia in cattle with theileriosis by electrocardiography. This study consisted of 24 cattle with theileriosis (diseased group) naturally infected with T. annulata and 8 healthy cattle (healthy group) from the same region, which was brought to Elazığ region and Fırat University Veterinary Faculty Animal Hospital Internal Medicine Clinic in 2019-2020. It was carried out on a total of 32 animals at 1-5 years of age. A total of 24 cattle diagnosed with theileriosis were divided into 3 groups (Group 1 mild anemia group, Group 2 moderate anemia group, and Group 3 severe anemia group), 8 in each group according to hematocrit value and erythrocyte count (according to the severity of anemia). In accordance with the technique of patients with clinical suspicion of theileriosis, smear preparations were prepared with blood taken from the ear tips, stained with giemsa, and the presence of piroplasma forms of T. annulata was determined with the immersion lens under the light microscope. After clinical examinations were made, blood samples for hematological examinations were taken from V. jugularis of animals with sterile needles to hematology tubes with EDTA in accordance with the method. Hematological parameters were determined using a blood count device without waiting for blood samples. While the cattle included in the study were standing on the rubber-insulated ground, Base Apex (BA) derivative was applied and electrocardiograms (ECG) were obtained with a portable electrocardiograph. Data were first analyzed for normality using IBM®SPSS 22 package program. Clinical examinations, blood parameters, and ECG values between the groups were subjected to analysis of variance (One-Way ANOVA) and the Duncan test was used as a multiple comparison test. In addition, the existence of the relationship between the same values was revealed using the Pearson Correlation test. The statistical significance level was accepted as (P≤0.05). When clinical examination findings are examined in this study; Although there were non-statistical (P>0.05) increases in the heart rate and respiratory frequency averages of the patients in the control group and group 1 and group 2, statistical increases (P≤0.05) were found in group 3 compared to all groups. When looking at the average body temperature, statistical increases (P≤0.05) were determined in the other 3 patient groups compared to the control group. None of the healthy animals were found to be involved in blood froticin. The piroplasm form of the agent was detected at the level of generally ++ in group 1 and at the level of +++ in group 2 and group 3. When the hematological examination findings are examined in the study; there were statistically significant (P≤0.05) decreases in erythrocyte count and hemoglobin amount between group 1 and group 2 and control group and between group 3 and the other groups. In terms of hematocrit value, statistical (P>0.05) decreases were determined for all groups. When compared with the control group in terms of the mean leukocyte count, statistical (P≤0.05) decreases in group 1 and non-statistical decreases were recorded in the other groups. When ECG examination findings are examined in this study; there were statistically (P≤ 0.05) increases in T wave amplitude between group 2 and group 3 and the control group. In terms of P wave, T wave, PQ interval and QT interval duration, statistically (P≤0.05) decreases were determined in other groups compared to the control group. In terms of QRS wave duration, statistical (P≤0.05) decreases were recorded in Group 3 compared to the control group. In terms of ST interval duration, statistical (P≤0.05) decreases were found in Group 3 compared to other groups. When Pearson's correlation coefficients between heart rate, hematological and electrocardiographic values of animals were examined; there was a negative correlation between heart rate and erythrocyte count, hemoglobin count, hematocrit value, duration of PQ, ST and QT intervals, and a positive correlation between T wave amplitude. A positive correlation was found between erythrocyte count and hemoglobin count, hematocrit value, QRS wave, PQ, ST, and QT interval duration. There was a negative correlation between hemoglobin count and hematocrit value, T wave amplitude, and positive correlation between P wave, QRS wave, PQ, ST, and QT interval duration. There was a positive correlation between the hematocrit value and the duration of the QRS wave, T wave, PQ, ST, and QT intervals, and a negative correlation with the T wave amplitude. As a result, it was concluded that the heart is affected according to the degree of anemia in cattle with theileriosis and this may cause some arrhythmias, especially sinus tachycardia, an increase in T wave amplitude on ECG, and a shortening of the duration of the QRS wave, PQ, ST, and QT intervals can be seen