Changes in blood cellular components, serum proteins and serum enzyme activities in pigs naturally infected with Cysticercus tenuicollis

A study was made of blood cellular components, serum proteins and serum enzymes in 48 pigs naturally infected with Cysticercus tenuicollis. Twenty-five healthy pigs were studied for comparison. Affected animals showed a reduction in total erythrocyte count, packed cell volume and haemoglobin content and an increase in mean corpuscular volume and total leucocyte count. Significantly higher activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and isocitric dehydrogenase serum enzymes were recorded in all affected pigs. Total protein, albumin and globulin values of affected pigs remained unchanged when compared with healthy controls.