Hypocholesterolemia and hypocortisolemia in acute and terminal Babesia bovis infections.

Sera from Babesia bovis-infected cross-bred cows and purebred steers were evaluated throughout the course of acute Babesia bovis infection for cholesterol and cortisol concentrations. Cholesterol and cortisol values of surviving cattle became markedly reduced (less than 50% of normal values) during the acute phase of the disease, Days 10-15 postinoculation, and returned to essentially normal values by the end of the 35 day experimental period. The combined control group values were approximately 2.98 mM/l cholesterol and 0.085 mM/l cortisol throughout the experimental period. The results suggest that if normal synthesis of cholesterol by hepatocytes or other tissues is not maintained, then cholesterol-derived compounds such as cortisol may not be produced at levels adequate to protect against the effects of stress and cell damage during the disease process.