OT Adedosu
Department of Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, P.M.B. 4000, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso
OA Olowe
Department of MedicalMicrobiology and Parasitology College of Health Sciences P.M.B. 4400, LAUTECH, Osogbo
AS Adekunle
Department of Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, P.M.B. 4000, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso
CO Olaiya
Department of Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, P.M.B. 4000, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso
Abstract
Behaviour of Sodium [Na+], Potassium [K+] and Phosphorous [PO43-] ions was studied in the heart of albino rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei and the parasitaemia level monitored. Post infection shows a significant rise [p < 0.05] in Na+, K+, and Ca2+ ions concentration with a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the phosphorous ions concentration as the disease progresses. At high parasitaemia level, there is a slight increase in Na+ and PO43- ions while K+ concentration remains constant and Ca2+ ions concentration was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). The reasons and mechanism responsible for these are unknown although their increased concentrations in tissues generally have been shown to be as a result of damage to cells and tissues during infection.
Key Words: Trypanosoma brucei brucei, Parasitaemia level, Concentration of ions.
African Journal Of Clinical And Experimental Microbiology Jan 2004 Vol.5 No.1 30-39