Haptoglobin Value and a Case of Pulmonary Abscesses in Dolphin

Abstract

We measured haptoglobin (Hp) of some dolphins in the aquarium in Aomori Prefecture by modified hemoglobin binding assay. The mean Hp values of healthy and unhealthy bottlenose dolphins were significantly different (P＜0.01) at 2,119 μg/ml and 7,495 μg/ml, respectively. In the case of death from lung abscesses, Hp value increased to 8,157 μg/ml prior to a decline in A/G ratio and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. These results suggest that Hp is an inflammatory marker in dolphins and may be useful for early diagnosis of pneumonia.