Effects of sarcoptic mange on serum proteins and immunoglobulin G levels in chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica) and Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica)

Three groups of chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica) and three groups of Spanish i bex (Capra pyrenaica) were established to study the effects of sarcoptic ma nge on serum proteins and immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels. The first group of chamois consisted of 22 healthy Pyrenean chamois (R. pyrenaica pyrenaica) from a non-infested area, the second group consisted of 20 healthy Cantabri an chamois (R, p. parva) from an area where sarcoptic mange has been report ed since 1994 and the third group consisted of 16 Cantabrian chamois from t he same area but naturally infested by Sarcoptes scabiei. The first group o f Spanish ibex was 39 healthy animals from a sarcoptic mange non-infested a rea, the second group was 23 healthy animals from a sarcoptic mange infeste d area and the third group consisted of 20 animals from the same area but n aturally infested with the parasite. Blood samples were taken after killing the animals as part of hunting programmes. Values for total proteins, gamm a-globulin and IgG were higher in infested and healthy chamois from the inf ested area compared to healthy chamois from the non-infested area, and IgG levels were higher in infested chamois compared to healthy-exposed chamois. Values for alpha(2)-globulin were higher in healthy Cantabrian chamois. In Spanish ibex, albumin, alpha(2)-globulin and IgG levels were lower in the healthy Spanish ibex from the non-infested area than in healthy animals fro m an infested area. The differences found in the chamois were indicative of the establishment of a humoral antibody response in the animals in contact with the disease. As the IgG levels were not significantly different betwe en healthy and infested Spanish ibex from the same area, a different patter n of chronic infection with humoral response to the disease was suggested. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.