Association of Haematological Parameters With TLR Genes in Healthy and Distemper-Infected Dogs Haematology and TLRs...

Determining the expression levels of TLRs involved in innate and adaptive immunity in canine distemper infections would provide a significant advantage for controlling the disease.

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the expression levels of the genes toll-like receptors 1-9 (TLR1-9) and haematological parameters in healthy and distemper-infected dogs.

The study material was composed of healthy dogs (n = 8) and distemper-infected dogs (n = 8). Haematologic analyses were performed on EDTA blood samples taken from the dogs, and the expression levels of TLR1-9 genes were determined.

TLR3, TLR4 and TLR9 gene expression levels significantly differed between healthy and infected dogs (p < 0.05). The comparative analysis of the haematological parameters of the two groups revealed the presence of statistically significant differences for lymphocyte count (Lymph), lymphocyte percentage (Lymph%) and granulocyte percentage (Gran%; p < 0.05). The present study demonstrated that, in the dogs infected with distemper, based on the correlation coefficients between the expression levels of TLR1-9 genes and haematological parameters, there was a positive correlation between TLR1 and PDW, TLR4 and WBC, Gran and Gran%, TLR5 and HCT, TLR6 and Gran%, TLR7 and MCV and TLR7 and PDW and a negative correlation between TLR2 and Lymph and monocyte, TLR3 and WBC and TLR5 and RDW.

We believe that more studies are needed to understand the effect of TLRs and haematological parameters on the course and prognosis of the distemper diseases.