CLINICAL AND HEMATOLOGICAL STUDIES OF CHEDIAK-HIGASHI SYNDROM IN IRAQI WATER BUFFALOES (Bubalus bubalis)

Abstract

Chediack-Higashi syndrome (CHS) is inherited autosomal recessive disorder affected cattle and other species of animals and caused by LYST gene mutation, and characterized by oculocutaneous albinism, variations of total and differential leukocyte count , different severe infections, dysfunction of platelets and a bleeding tendency.The study included 65 Iraqi water buffaloes of different ages and of both sexes which was divided as 25 black buffaloes served as controls, 25 buffaloes with patches or spotted animals and 15 white water buffaloes. The most important clinical signed showed by the animals are, white, irregular coat, unpigmented skin, hairs, eyes, with loss of appetite, emaciation, weakness, long hair than normal with tufts, anemia, photophobia with oculocutaneous depigmentation, and dullness. Animals of both sexes are affected specially those under one year of age. The results indicated a significant increases (p<0.05) of body temperatures, pulse and respiratory rate of diseased buffalo than in controls, However a significant decrease (P<0.05) has been registered in erythrocytes (RBC), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV) and main corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), with no statistical differences was detected in mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), whereas the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was significantly increase (P<0.05). The results were also show lymphocytosis, eosinophelia and basophelia with Nutropenia and thrombocytopenia with prolonged bleeding time.Conclusion: It has been to our knowledge that the current study is the first one in this area and the syndrome affected the Iraqi buffaloes and caused a clear clinical and hematological signs.