Serum proteins in normal cats and cats infected with Aelurostrongylus abstrusus

Abstract

Serum proteins were evaluated by cellulose acetate electrophoresis in cats prior to and every 2 weeks for 24 weeks after oral infection with third stage larvae of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus. Evaluation of electrophoretograms was standardized by determination of electrophoretic migration ratios. Six fractions of serum proteins were consistently identified: albumin and alpha 1, alpha 2, beta 1, beta 2, and gamma globulin. Relative and absolute concentrations of each serum protein fraction were determined. The only changes found were a decrease in concentration of alpha globulins and an increase in concentration of beta 1 globulins. These changes were mild, however, so that the the concentrations for infected cats were still within 1 SD of the control concentrations. Apparently serum electrophoresis is not a useful diagnostic test for aelurostrongylosis.