HAPTOGLOBIN RESPONSE OF CATTLE INFECTED WITH FOOT-AND-MOUTH-DISEASE VIRUS

Haptoglobin, a major bovine acute phase protein, was evaluated as a ma rker of the primary replication of foot-and-mouth disease virus in 12 naturally infected cattle from which blood was collected daily. An acu te phase response, as measured by an increase in serum haptoglobin con centration and the presence of fever, was not detected during the prev iraemic stage of disease, but there was a significant increase in seru m haptoglobin after the onset of viraemia. It occurred on the same day as the first appearance of clinical signs in three of the cattle, one day later in four and two days later in the other five cattle.