Babesia bovis (argentina): observations of coagulation parameters, fibrinogen catabolism and fibrinolysis in intact and splenectomized cattle

Abstract

The results of this paper indicate that cattle infected with B. bovis (argentina) have a markedly altered and activated coagulation system. A degree of thrombin activation occurs due partly to release of thromboplastin-like substances from lysed erythrocytes but due primarily to activation of kallikrein by babesial proteases. This produces a hyperfibrinogenaemia, particularly in intact cattle, with soluble fibrin complexes constituting up to one-third of the total fibrinogen concentration. High molecular weight non-coagulable fibrinogen-like proteins are detected terminally but more so in splenectomized cattle. Plasminogen concentration decreases in splenectomized but not intact cattle while low molecular weight fibrinogen degradation products are not easily detected. It is suggested that a hypercoagulable intermediate state with little or no fibrin deposition occurs rather than terminal disseminated intravascular coagulation.