Abstract

ACUTE PHASE PROTEINS OF VETERINARY IMPORTANCE – REVIEW

*Varuna P. Panicker, Anu Gopalakrishnan and Sisilamma George

ABSTRACT

A review of selected acute phase proteins (APPs) with veterinary importance is given. It appears that APPs represent as suitable analytes for evaluation of animal health. Acute phace proteins are usually glycoproteins. Exceptions are C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA). Acute phase proteins can be used as diagnostic tool in many diseases like bovine respiratory syncytial virus, prostate cancer, bronchopneumonia, multiple myeloma, mastitis, Streptococcus suis infection, starvation, or lymphatic neoplasia and thus, APPs may provide an alternative means of monitoring animal health. The functions of the APPs are varied but generally relate to the defense of the animal to pathological damage and restoration of homeostasis. Indeed the acute phase response is an integral component of the innate immune response forming the first reaction of the host to pathogens and tissue damage. The innate response and the APP predate the acquired immune response during evolution.

Keywords: APPs, cancer, bronchopneumonia, multiple myeloma.