A. Jaundice

Jaundice is a clinical sign which often arises in diseases of the liver and biliary system but also in diseases in which there are no lesions of these organs.

Although jaundice is a result of the accumulation of bilirubin, the staining is much more pronounced with direct bilirubin than with indirect bilirubin. The levels of bilirubin in blood also affect the intensity of the jaundice.

The staining of jaundice is due to staining of tissues, espe­cially elastic tissue. Hemolytic jaundice is common in animals and it¢s being caused by bacterial toxins, invasion of erythrocytes by protozoa or viruses, inorganic and organic poisons and immunological reactions is well known.

Clinically hemolytic jaundice is characterized by a moderate degree of yellowing of the mucosae, and by the presence of haemo-globinuria in severe cases. Clinic pathological findings indicate the presence of anemia, an increase in urobilinogen and an absence of bilirubin in the urine, and a preponderance of indirect bilirubin in the serum.

Jaundice due to Hepatic Cell Degeneration. The cause may be any of those diffuse diseases of the liver which cause hepatic cells degenerating and which are listed under hepatitis. Because there is only partial obstruction of biliary excretion, the changes in serum and urine lie between those of hemolytic jaundice and extra hepatic biliary obstruction. Increasing of serum levels of total bilirubin is caused by retention of direct bilirubin. It’s passing out in the urine causes an elevation of urine levels. Rising of the urobilinogen levels in the urine is also observed.