Thoracic radiography and oxidative stress indices in heartworm affected dogs

Thoracic radiography and oxidative stress indices in heartworm affected dogs - P. K. Rath, S. K. Panda, B. P. Mishra, R. C. Patra and

I. Nath

Veterinary World, 7(9): 689-692

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.689-692

P. K. Rath: Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India;

drpkrath78@gmail.com

S. K. Panda: Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India;

drsusen_panda@yahoo.com

B. P. Mishra: Veterinary Dispensary, Rajsunakhala, Nayagarh, Odisha, India; bidyutmishraivri@gmail.com

R. C. Patra: Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India;rcpatra@gmail.com

I. Nath: Department of Veterinary Surgery & Radiology, College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India; indravet@yahoo.co.in

Received: 30-05-2014, Revised: 25-07-2014, Accepted: 31-07-2014, Published online: 15-09-2014

Corresponding author: P. K. Rath, e-mail: drpkrath78@gmail.com

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Abstract

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Aim: The aim was to study the pathomorphological changes through thoracic radiography and status of oxidative stress parameters in heartworm affected dogs in Odisha.

Materials and Methods: A total of 16 dogs with clinically established diagnosis of dirofilariasis by wet blood smear and modified Knott’s test and equal numbers of dogs as control were included in this study. The present study was conducted in heartworm affected dogs to see the pathomorphological changes through thoracic radiography. Similarly, the evaluation was undertaken for observing any alterations in oxidative stress status in affected as well as non-affected, but healthy control dogs by adopting standard procedure.

Results: Thoracic radiography revealed cardiac enlargement, round heart appearance suggestive of right ventricular hypertrophy, tortuous pulmonary artery and darkening of lungs. Alterations in oxidative stress indices showed a significant rise of lipid peroxidase activity, non-significant rise of superoxide dismutase and a significant although reverse trend for catalase levels in affected dogs in comparison toDirofilaria negative control but apparently healthy dogs.

Conclusions: Radiographic changes, as well as alterations in oxidative stress parameters, may not be diagnostic for heartworm infection, but useful for detecting heartworm disease, assessing severity and evaluating cardiopulmonary parenchyma changes and gives a fair idea about the degree of severity of the disease. It aids as contributing factors in disease pathogenesis.

Keywords: Dirofilaria immitis, heartworm, oxidative stress, radiography.