Desialylation modulates alkaline phosphatase activity in zebu cattle experimentally infected with clostridium chauvoei : a novel report

Abstract EN

Blackleg, which was known for many decades as an animal disease has been confirmed to be fatal to human beings.

The present study was conducted to investigate the role of sialidase (neuraminidase) and toxins produced by the bacteria in the surge in plasma alkaline phosphatase activity that is usually associated with C.

chauvoei infection.

Fourteen Zebu cattle were allocated into four experimental groups.

They were administered C.

chauvoei (n = 4), toxins (n = 3), neuraminidase (n = 4) and a control group (n = 3) respectively.

Results obtained indicate that mean alkaline phosphatase level was highest in the bacteria-infected group, followed by the neuraminidase and toxin-administered groups.

The mean alkaline phosphatase activities of the four groups were significantly different ((P < 0.05) and this suggest liver and intestinal mucosal cell damage.

The possible role of neuraminidase and toxins produced by the bacteria in the pathogenesis of blackleg is discussed.

This is the first study to demonstrate that neuraminidase and toxins produced by C chauvoei either cleaved sialic acids or caused necrosis to liver hepatocytes and intestinal mucosal cells, leading to increased alkaline phosphatase activity in these organs.

The current study also provides baseline data on the pattern of variation of alkaline phosphatase activity in Zebu cattle experimentally infected with C chauvoei.