SOME HAEMATOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON FASCIOLA INFECTED BUFFALOES*

Blood picture values, inorganic and organic blood constit uents of 60 female buffaloes naturally infected with Fasciola gig antica were examined. In addition, 8 normal cases were investigated. The tested buffaloes, (after slaughtering),were grouped according to the degree of liver cirrhosis into slight, moderate and severe, classes. Results revealed that. erythrocytes, hemoglobin and the packed cell volume were decreased in the severely affected group., A normocytic normochromic anemia was observed. Leukocytosis basophilia, neutrophilia, monocytosis and lymphopenia were also seen in this group. Eosinophilia was noticed in the slight and moderate classes. All affected buffaloes showed acceleration of sedimentation rate. Calcium magnesium, sodium and potassium were not changed. A decrease of inorganic phosphorus was noticed in the severely affected group. There were no differences between serum total proteins in fasciola infected buffaloes and the non in fected mates. Albumin was decreased in the moderate and severe groups, while gammaglobulins were elevated.