Evaluation of Red Blood Cell and Platelet Indices in Cattle Naturally Infected

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate red blood cell (RBC) and platelet indices in addition to white blood cell counts in cattle naturally infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). A total of 32 cattle, un-vaccinated against BVDV, aged from 4 months to 9 months, were evaluated. Twenty two of them had clinical disorders regarding respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms in which BVDV infection was virologically con-firmed. Remaining 10 (BVDV free-cattle) were clinically healthy and used as controls. RBC indices (mean cor-puscular volume [MCV], mean corpuscular hemoglobin [MCH], MCH concentration [MCHC], and RBC distri-bution width [RDW]) and platelet indices (plateletcrit [PCT], mean platelet volume [MPV], and platelet size distribution width [PDW]) were determined on a Cell-Dyn hematology analyzer. Hematological findings in-cluded neutrophilic leukocytosis or neutropenic leukopenia, lymphopenia, and monocytosis in BVDV-infected cattle. RBC, haemoglobin, and RDW were higher (P<.001) in infected cattle, but MCV was lower (P<.001), than those of controls. Platelet count, MPV, and PDW were higher in infected cattle, compared with controls (P<.05). In conclusion, changes in RBC and platelet indices may reflect changes in RBC and platelet production and reactivity. These indices should be used routinely during the diagnostic workup for BVDV infection in cattle practice. Key Words: Bovine viral diarrhea virus, cattle, platelet indices, red blood cell indices. Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) ile Doğal Enfekte Sığırlarda Eritrosit v