Changes in conglutinin, immunoconglutinin, complement C3 and fibronectin concentrations in cattle acutely infected with Babesia bovis.

Further pathophysiological studies of the hypotensive shock syndrome associated with acute Babesia bovis infection in cattle have demonstrated changes in the plasma concentrations of conglutinin, complement C3, fibronectin and immunoconglutinin. Decreases in the first three components are presumably due to their contribution towards intravascular sludging of infected erythrocytes within the microvascular system during the acute phase of infection. In contrast, the increase in fibronectin and immunoconglutinin in the recovery phase suggests the involvement of these proteins in the reticulo-endothelial clearance of infected or damaged erythrocytes, immune complexes and cryofibrinogen.