Ultrasound image analysis for detection of fatty liver and grading its severity in buffaloes at Mosul, Iraq

الملخص EN

The study aimed to (i) examines whether quantitative and qualitative digital analysis of hepatic ultrasound images can be used to detect fatty liver and grading its severity, (ii) to estimate the concentration of serum β-hydroxybutyrate content in normal and diseased animals.

a total of 50 buffaloes (15 clinically normal and 35 suffered from decreased milk production, loss of appetite, and loss of body weight) 2-4 weeks after parturition were studied.

buffaloes were examined by real-time ultrasound using a 3.5 MHZ convex probe.

ultrasound images were saved for qualitative and quantitative analysis, using computer aid fatty-liver software (programmed in Matlab language).

based on the digital analysis of ultrasound images, the diseased buffaloes were classified as mild (n=20), moderate (n=7) and severe (n=8) fatty liver affection.

results indicated that the concentration of β-hydroxybutyrate estimated via Elisa were 0.409, 0.735, 0.923, 1.708 Mmol / dl in normal, mild, moderate, and severe diseased buffaloes respectively.

however, a significant difference has been encountered among normal and diseased animals.

it has been concluded that buffaloes at Mosul suffered from fatty liver and digital analysis of ultrasound images was a suitable method for clinical diagnosis, furthermore, estimation of β-hydroxybutyrate was a suitable method for laboratory diagnosis.