Plasma proteins and leukocyte kinetics of turtles (Podocnemis unifilis (Troschel, 1848)) inoculated with inactivated Escherichia coli

The plasma protein fractions and leukocyte response induced by an experimental subcutaneous inoculation of Escherichia coli isolated and inactivated in turtlesin captivity (Podocnemis unifilis—“tracaja”), were evaluated. The animals were divided into two groups (test group and control) with 10 turtles each. Blood samples from all animals were collected the day before the inoculation and at days 15, 28, 42 and 125 days in both groups. The inoculation of E. coli did not significantly alter the red blood cell count, but the serial collection of blood led to a mild normochromic macrocytic anemia.The inoculation of E. coli was not responsible for the observed changes in erythrogram. The leukocyte count showed an inflammatory process indistinct for the presence of E. coli, except for the lymphocytosis observed in the test group. The determination of the A:G ratio proved useful in the detection of immunoglobulin production responsive to inoculation with E. coli.