Evaluation of liver and renal function tests together with histopathological alterations in rabbits infected with a virulent strain of Proteus vulgaris

Introduction and Aim: Gram-negative bacterium Proteus vulgaris is found in animal and human guts. This bacterium can cause renal and vesical calculi, septicemia, and wound infection-related pyrexia. Antibiotics may not cure respiratory infections. This study infected rabbits with a virulent strain of P. vulgaris from bovine mastitis to examine metabolic and histological changes in various organs. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on twenty domestic rabbits of both sexes which were divided into two groups. The first group received 1010 CFU\ml\ of virulent Proteus vulgaris subcutaneously. While the second group (control) received subcutaneously 1 cc of phosphate buffered saline (pH = 7.2). On 3,7, 14 days of infection, the animals were checked for their biochemical parameters (AST, ALT, ALP, blood urea and creatinine). Histological alterations in various organs were also studied. Results: The infected group showed substantial increases (P0.01) in liver enzymes (AST, ALT, and ALP) at 3, 7, and 14 days compared to the control group. In contrast, the infected group showed a substantial rise (P 0.01) in blood urea and creatinine levels at 3, 7, and 14 days compared to pre-infection levels and the control group. Histological analysis of lung tissue showed dilated alveolar gaps with hemorrhagic and fibrinous exudates and many alveolar macrophages. These findings included pulmonary vasodilation and congestion. Intramuscular edema, cellular infiltration, intramuscular hemorrhage, and congestion was present in heart tissue with little muscle fiber separation. The intestines had significant patch proliferation and mononuclear cell infiltration. Blood vascular congestion and mononuclear cell infiltration were also seen in the liver and kidney. Conclusion: Experimental infection with pathogenic bacterium Proteus vulgaris raised rabbits' blood urea, creatinine, and liver enzymes AST, ALT, and alkaline phosphatase. Cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, intestinal, and pulmonary tissues showed significant postmortem changes.