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Paramphistomosis & Blood Parameters: A Thesis Reveals the Hidden Damage
Last Updated: August 9, 2025
Author Bio
Dr. Umbreen Javed Khan is a Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology from the University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Her research focuses on the epidemiology, economic impact, and therapeutic treatment of parasitic diseases in livestock, providing critical insights for veterinary science and agricultural sustainability.
Paramphistomosis & Blood Parameters: A Thesis Reveals the Hidden Damage
When we see a sick animal, we often focus on external symptoms like weight loss or lethargy. But what is truly happening on the inside? How does a parasitic infection like paramphistomosis disrupt the very chemistry of an animal’s body? A groundbreaking Ph.D. thesis takes us beyond simple observation, using blood analysis to open a window into the physiological chaos caused by these parasites—and the remarkable recovery that follows effective treatment.
This post delves into the fascinating and critical data on paramphistomosis blood parameters from Dr. Umbreen Javed Khan’s research. We will explore how this disease impacts essential proteins and enzymes, offering a deeper understanding of the internal damage and the true meaning of a cure.
Why Blood Parameters Matter
Simply counting parasite eggs tells you if a treatment is killing the flukes. But analyzing blood parameters tells you if the animal is actually getting better. Blood provides a real-time report on organ function, nutritional status, and overall health. Recognizing this, the study included a thorough analysis of blood chemistry. The research aimed “to review the efficacy of production in disease contol measures. Treatment with Nigella Sativa, Fumaria parviflora, Caesalpinia crista, and Sussurea lappa in groups A, B, C, D and E killed the worms and helped in the increase of plasma protein level and also in disappeareance of submandibular oedema” (p. 210).
The study compared infected and untreated buffaloes with healthy controls and groups treated with various herbal and allopathic drugs, monitoring their blood at day 0, day 18, and day 28.
The Impact on Protein Levels: A Sign of Malnutrition
One of the most direct impacts of intestinal parasites is on the body’s ability to absorb and utilize protein, a fundamental building block of life.
- The Problem: The thesis found that “The total serum protein (TSP) concentration of the clinical cases in all groups were found decreased on 0 day” (p. 211). This was accompanied by a drop in albumin, a critical protein for maintaining fluid balance.
- The Reason: This decrease is a classic sign of parasitic disease. The “reduction in the plasma protein concentration in mainly due to poor plasma albumin concentration of the blood” (p. 211) is caused by intestinal damage and poor appetite, which prevents the animal from getting the nutrition it needs.
- The Recovery: Following successful treatment, a dramatic recovery was observed. “The serum albumin level increased significantly (P<0.05) on 28th day while A/G ratio also increased significantly (P<0.01) on the same day of observation of post treatment” (p. 211). This normalization of protein levels is concrete proof that the animal’s gut was healing and its health was being restored.
Liver Enzymes: The Body’s Alarm Bells
When organs are damaged, they release specific enzymes into the bloodstream, which act like alarm bells for veterinarians. The study looked at several key liver enzymes.
1. SGOT (Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase)
SGOT (also known as AST) is an enzyme found in various tissues, including the liver and muscles. Elevated levels often indicate tissue damage.
- The Finding: The research noted that “There was little increase of serum glutamic oxaloactic transaminase (SGOT) level on 0 day in both the groups. Since considerable amount of SGOT activity is found in almost all the tissues of mammals” (p. 211), its elevation suggested widespread inflammation. The immature flukes “cause sever catarrhal and haemorrhagic inflammatory changes in duodenum and jejunum with destruction of the intestinal glands etc” (p. 211), leading to this slight rise in SGOT.
2. SGPT (Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase)
SGPT (also known as ALT) is a more specific indicator of liver damage. The findings here were particularly interesting.
- The Finding: The research discovered that “The serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) levels however did not alter either in groups A, B, C, D, E and F animals before and after treatment” (p. 212).
- The Implication: This suggests that while paramphistomosis causes significant intestinal and systemic damage, it does not appear to cause the kind of direct, acute liver cell destruction that would lead to a spike in SGPT. This is a crucial diagnostic detail that helps differentiate the damage caused by paramphistomes from other liver-specific parasites.
3. SAP (Serum Alkaline Phosphatase)
SAP is another important enzyme related to the liver and bone.
- The Finding: The study observed that “The alkaline phosphates levels were found to be decreased in groups (A, B and F) whereas increased in other groups (C, D, E and G) of animals of clinical cases of paramphistomosis before treatment” (p. 212). After successful treatment, there was a noticeable “decline in SAP level” in the treated groups (p. 212).
- The Implication: The changes in SAP levels reflect the systemic stress and disruption caused by the infection. Its return to normal levels following treatment is another strong indicator of the animal’s recovery.
Conclusion: A Complete Picture of Healing
The analysis of paramphistomosis blood parameters in Dr. Khan’s thesis provides a profound insight: an effective cure is more than just a negative egg count. True efficacy is measured by the host’s physiological recovery. The normalization of serum proteins and the stabilization of key enzymes like SGOT and SAP after treatment offer definitive proof that the damage caused by the parasite is being reversed. This research underscores the importance of a holistic approach to veterinary care, where the ultimate goal is not just to eliminate a pathogen, but to restore the animal to full health and productivity.
Source & Citations
Thesis Title: EPIDEMIOLOGY, ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE AND THERAPY OF PARAMPHISTOMOSIS IN CATTLE AND BUFFALOES
Researcher: Umbreen Javed Khan
Guide (Supervisor): Prof. Dr. Tanveer Akhtar
University: DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF THE PUNJAB, LAHORE, PAKISTAN.
Year of Compilation: Not specified, research conducted from Nov. 2002 to Oct. 2004.
Excerpt Page Numbers: xv, 210, 211, 212.
Disclaimer
Some sentences have been lightly edited for SEO and readability. For the full, original research, please refer to the complete thesis PDF linked in the section above.
Does this detailed look at blood chemistry change how you think about the effectiveness of a veterinary treatment? Share your perspective on the importance of these internal health markers in the comments below!
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