Comparative Study on Phagocytic Activity of Neutrophils after Experimental Subcutaneous Staphylococcus Intermedius Infection in Obese and Nonobese Dogs

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of obesity in dogs on one of the main elements of innate immunity – phagocytosis. The experiment was conducted on 20 healthy, male, mongrel dogs at the age of 4 to 7 years. Dogs were divided into three groups – two experimental (І and ІІ) and one control group. Dogs of group І (obese dogs) were submitted to a high – fat hypercaloric diet for three months in order to cause experimental obesity. Dogs of group ІІ (non-obese dogs) were fed a standard maintenance diet and had normal body condition. Infection was induced in dogs of group I and group II by subcutaneous application of bacterial suspension of Staphylococcus intermedius. Percentage of phagocyting neutrophils and phagocytic index were estimated in the following dynamics: initial levels (before infection-0 hour), 3, 24, 48 hour, and 7 and 14 day after infection. In non-obese dogs both percentage of phagocyting neutrophils and phagocytic index increased on 48 hour after infection. In obese dogs both parameters did not show any statistically significant changes within the whole period of experiment.