In this study, it was aimed to determine the diagnostic importance of biomarkers such as Heparan Sulfate, Surfactant Protein-D and sRAGE in neonatal calves with sepsis. A total of 32 calves consisting of 20 calves diagnosed with acute diarrhea and sepsis and 12 clinically healthy calves were used in the study. After routine clinical examination of calves, rectum of calves was stimulated by rectal stimulation and stools were collected in sterile stool containers in order to determine infectious agents in calves suspected with sepsis. Blood samples were taken from all calves in 10 ml tubes without anticoagulant, and Surfactant protein-D, Heparan sulfate and sRAGE levels in the obtained sera were determined using an ELISA device with the help of commercial test kits. While statistical significance was determined between the calves with sepsis and control group in terms of heart and respiratory frequency (P<0.001), it was not determined in terms of body temperature. In terms of total leukocyte levels, statistical significance was found between calves with sepsis and control group (P<0.05). Heparan sulfate and Surfactant protein-D levels were not found to be significant between calves with sepsis and control group, but sRAGE levels were found to be significantly higher in calves with sepsis compared to controls (P<0.001).

In conclusion, although surfactant protein-D and heparan sulfate levels are not significantly high, the importance of these biomarkers in revealing lung tissue damage in calves with sepsis has been demonstrated by the present study.