Investigation on Post-parturient Hemoglobinuria (PPH) in Buffalo: A case Control Study

Post-parturient hemoglobinuria is a non-infectious hemolytic metabolic disorder of buffalo and cattle characterized by intravascular hemolysis, anemia, and hemoglobinuria. It may be highly fatal, if not diagnosed rapidly and treated promptly. The present study determines the clinical and biochemical alterations as well as, the risk factors associated with PPH in buffalo in Egypt. Sixty-eight buffalo displaying symptoms of hemoglobinuria, along with 24 healthy buffalo for comparison were involved. Each animal participating in the study underwent a comprehensive clinical examination, and blood and urine samples were collected for further analysis. A questionnaire was designed for the hypothesized risk factors. To determine the risk factors at the animal level, the logistic regression model was utilized. Clinically, PPH-affected buffalo had much lower ruminant movements than healthy ones, meanwhile their respiratory and pulse rates dramatically increased. The serum levels of phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) showed a significant decrease in PPH-affected buffalo (p<0.05), whereas potassium (K), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), and glucose serum levels all demonstrated a significant increase. (p<0.05) In the final logistic regression model, which was used to identify risk factors, there was a significant correlation between PPH and parity ≥4 (P = 0.036, OR: 3.76, 95% CI: 1.09-12.96), hypophosphatemia (P = 0.003, OR: 5.55, 95% CI: 1.78-17.27), and hypocalcaemia (P = 0.044, OR: 3.39, 95% CI: 1.03-11.15), on the animal level. In conclusion, PPH–affected buffalo may demonstrate several biochemical changes, as well as the identification of PPH-associated risk factors may provide a useful approach for the prevention and control of PPH in buffalo.