Acute Babesia bovis infections: plasma creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and creatinine levels and associated muscle damage.

Two groups of five two-year-old Hereford steers were infected with two virulent strains of B. bovis. The plasma concentrations of creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatinine rose early in infection and showed highly significant increases terminally. Extensive skeletal muscle degeneration was observed terminally as was degeneration of myocardium, although this was much less extensive. Terminal clinical signs included posterior muscle wasting, weakness, and recumbency. It was concluded that the extensive changes to muscle and to CK and LDH were caused by anoxia due primarily to shock and stasis of the circulation induced by the parasites.