Study of changes in thyroid function tests (anti-thyroglobulin, anti – thyroid peroxidase, thyroglobulin, triiodothyronine, tetraiodothyronine) cystatin C and sphingosine 1 phosphate in the serum of dogs with Babesiosis and determination of relevant potential diagnostic biomarkers

Babesiosis is classified as blood parasitic disease that is caused by genus Babesia. This parasite is transmitted by hard ticks and blood transfusion and causes fever, anemia, hemoglobinuria and jaundice. Study on babesiosis is important in terms of its public health concerns. This study was performed to evaluate serum changes of thyroid function indices [Anti-Thyroglobulin (a-Tg), Anti–Thyroid Peroxidase (a-Tpo), Thyroglobulin (Tg), Triiodothyronine (T3), Tetraiodothyronine (T4)], Cystatin C and sphingosine 1-phosphate in dogs with babesiosis. For this purpose, 5 ml of blood were taken from the cephalic vein of 35 dogs with babesiosis in several small animal clinics (in Tehran, Tabriz and Mashhad) which were diagnosed based on clinical signs and laboratory tests and the same number of healthy dogs (35) with consent of their owners and after serum preparation, thyroid function parameters (a-Tg, a-Tpo, Tg, T3, T4) Cystatin C and sphingosine 1 phosphate were measured by specific ELISA kits and evaluated statistically with SPSS version 17. The results indicated significant increase (p≤0.01) in all of the measured parameters in comparison with the healthy group (control group). Based on the ROC statistical test, the obtained results indicate that due to the high sensitivity of the method used in measuring the indicators of thyroid function (except tetraiodo-thyronine) and cystatin C, it is possible to use the serum values of the mentioned indicators (Tg, T3, a-Tg, a-Tpo) and cystatin C as possible potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of canine babesiosis.