Anaemia and trypanosomiasis. An experimental study in rabbits infected with Trypanosoma brucei
Celada, A.
Sangre 24(3): 263-270
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-4355 PMID: 486235 Document Number: 148152
Haematological parameters were evaluated in 5 rabbits for up to 58 days after inoculation with Trypanosoma brucei and compared with those of 5 uninfected control rabbits. Haemolytic anaemia was observed in the infected animals after 7 days and became stabilized on the 11th day. Parasitaemia was detected in the peripheral blood from days 11 to 28. The anaemia disappeared following ethidium bromide treatment given 7 weeks after infection. Isotopic (51Cr) studies on a 2nd group of 5 infected rabbits showed a reduced life-span for red blood cells. Red cell destruction occurred in the spleen and splenomegaly was noted at autopsy. Histological examination of the spleen showed macrophage hyperplasia, with frequent signs of erythrophagocytosis.