A preliminary comparison of plasma fibrinogen concentrations, leukocyte numbers and erythrocyte sedimentation rate as non-specific indicators of inflammatory conditions in buffalo (Bubalis bubalis).

The plasma fibrinogen concentration (Fib), total leukocyte count (TLC), neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte numbers, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were determined in 153 buffaloes suffering from different clinical conditions. Fib increased significantly (p < 0.05) in chronic mastitis, pyrexia, pyometra, cutaneous abscesses, tail gangrene and acute indigestion, whereas in most of the other conditions studied it varied non-significantly. TLC increased significantly in chronic mastitis, pyrexia, endometritis, cutaneous abscesses and infected skin wounds. An increase in neutrophils was associated with an increased TLC. Numbers of lymphocytes varied non-significantly in most of the conditions. Monocytes decreased significantly in most of the acute conditions. ESR was significantly elevated in all clinical conditions. Significantly increased mean Fib values in the different conditions varied from 703 +/- 119 to 725 +/- 140 mg/dl, while the maximum individual value was 1510 mg/dl in a case of cutaneous myiasis. The significantly increased mean TLC ranged from 9.48 +/- 2.91 to 11.1 +/- 3.5 x 10(3)/microliter, while it was 21.7 x 10(3)/microliter in a case of meningitis. ESR values in sick buffaloes varied from 57 to 111 mm in the first hour.