Variation in cardiac markers and electrocardiographic alterations in young calves naturally infected with bovine tropical theileriosis

The present study was designed to assess the deleterious effects of bovine tropical theileriosis on the cardiovascular system and the consequent myocardial involvement in young calves. Myocardial effects in parasitic diseases are often neglected. Hemolytic anemia, associated secondary hypoxia, and vasculitis are cardinal features of bovine theileriosis. In the present study, electrocardiogram (ECG) alongside serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and creatinine phosphokinase-myocardial band (CPK-MB) concentrations were analyzed in infected, treated, and control groups of young calves. Non-significant alterations were noticed in ECG. However, certain signs like sinus tachycardia, first-degree AV block, atrial premature complex, left atrial hypertrophy, and right atrial hypertrophy were found on consistent basis in infected calves. A significant increase in the serum concentration levels of cTnI and CPK-MB was noticed in infected calves followed by significant fall in both these biomarkers post treatment. cTnI and CPK-MB can definitely be used as myocardial markers in theileriosis-affected animals.