Hematological and serum biochemical changes in sheep naturally infected with Toxoplasma gondii in Southern Punjab (Pakistan)

Toxoplasma (t.) gondii is a blood parasite which causes variations in hematological and serological values which can lead to economic losses in animals like reduced fur,wool,meat and milk productions. this study was conducted to determine the hematological and serological changes in sheep naturally infected with t. gondii present in districts multan and khanewal in southern punjab,pakistan. blood samples were collected from 500 sheep from april 2012 to june 2013 and the parasitological diagnosis was confirmed by using elisa. different blood parameters [haemoglobin (hb),glucose,aspartate transaminase (ast),alanine transaminase (alt),lactate dehydrogenase (ldh) and cholesterol] were measured and compared between t. gondii positive and negative sheep. results showed that hb,glucose and alt concentrations were lower in t. gondii positive sheep as compared to t. gondii negative sheep. on the other hand,cholesterol,ast and ldh concentrations were higher in t. gondii positive sheep than t. gondii negative sheep. hb,glucose,ast,alt and ldh values varied non-significantly (p>0.05) between t. gondii positive and negative sheep; whereas,difference in cholesterol level was statistically significant (p<0.05). in conclusion,cholesterol level was found higher in sheep infected with toxoplasmosis which may lead to certain complications including coronary artery diseases,myocardial infarction,atherosclerosis,hypertension,hemorrhage and vascular thrombosis in infected sheep.