Abstract
Serum samples were collected from 90 dogs with various symptoms ofdirofilariasis (filariasis) and analyzed by cellulose acetate electrophoresis (electrophoresis)to obtain the percentage composition (relative proportion) of serum lipoprotein fractions.The concentrations (mg/dZ) of these fractions were calculated in 50 of them. The resultswere compared between filarial dogs and normal ones. The percentage composition andconcentrations of serum lipoprotein fractions in filarial dogs varied with the stage and alsowith the intensity of the disease. Those in subclinically infected dogs were statisticallyinsignificant, as compared with those in normal dogs. In mild and serious groups of infec-tion, the serum pre-, e-lipoprotein and 7v-lipoprotein fractions incrcased (P<0.01), as com-pared with those of normal group. There was no significant difference in the concentrationsof these fractions between mild and serious groups. The serum a-lipoprotein fraction wassignificantly lower (P<0.01) in concentration in the serious group than in the mild group.In many advanced cases, the electromigration velocity (mobility) of the pre-7v-lipoproteinfraction increased. These findings could be considered to be clinically significant, sincethey were available as auxiliary means for the identification of the stage of filarnasis.
