Modulations of biochemical parameters in Egyptian buffaloes affected by diffuse peritonitis

Diffuse peritonitis is a potential fatal inflammation and considered the important common leading cause of peritonitis-related death in ruminants worldwide. This study was designed to find suitable biomarkers aid in diagnosis and differentiation between different causes of diffuse peritonitis in buffaloes. Clinical and ultrasonographic examinations were applied as well as blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Based on necropsy findings, diffuse peritonitis was found to be of digestive origin (traumatic reticuloperitonitis—TRP or perforated abomasum/intestine), or of non-digestive origin from ruptured uterus. Serum total protein (TP), globulins, Malondialdehyde and plasma fibrinogen were significantly increased in both digestive and non-digestive origins. Meanwhile, serum pepsinogen was significantly elevated in diffuse peritonitis associated with perforated abomasum and intestine. Serum haptoglobin (Hp) showed a highly significant increase in TRP rather than other groups. On the other hand, nitric oxide (NO) and catalase showed non-significant changes in all groups of diffuse peritonitis in buffaloes. In conclusion, our results suggested that Hp and pepsinogen could enable the veterinarians for better diagnosis of the different causes of diffuse peritonitis in buffaloes.Highlights The current study suggested that Hp and pepsinogen could be a diagnostic markers for the differentiation between different causes of diffuse peritonitis in buffaloes, while, NO and CAT were of no value. However estimation of Fb, globulins, Tp and MDA help in the diagnosis of diffuse peritonitis but it cannot help in the differentiation between different causes of diffuse peritonitis in buffaloes.