Determinación de proteínas: un recurso diagnóstico para evaluar sueros de bovinos con paratuberculosis

Bovine serum proteins were analyzed in sera from bovines from a herd with endemic paratuberculosis, an infectious disease associated with diarrhea, loss of body condition, cachexia and death. A group of negative animals was compared with a group of positive animals to 3 diagnostic tests for paratuberculosis (mycobateriological culture of feces, intradermal inoculation of avian tuberculin and antibody detection by indirect ELISA). Serum protein concentrations and their different fractions were analyzed by the colorimetric method and electrophoresis. Bayesian credible intervals were statistically different, with a lower albumin concentration and higher gamma globulin concentration in the positive group compared to the negative group. The albumin/globulin ratio was also statistically different with decreased ratio in the positive group. No statistical differences were observed in alpha and betaprotein fractions. The decreased albumin in the positive group partly explains the poor productive performance and emphasizes the convenience to test and cull positive animals not only to avoid economic losses, but also as a control measure to reduce dissemination of the disease.