Endotoxins and the pathogenesis of Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in mice

The involvement of endotoxins in Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in CD-1 mice was investigated by the Limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) test. At 7 days post-infection mean serum endotoxin level was elevated by 2·5 times (36·4 pg/ml cf. control 14·25 pg/ml, P < 0·001) and a similar increase was...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Parasitology 1993-07, Vol.107 (1), p.49-53
Main Authors: Alafiatayo, R. A., Crawley, B., Oppenheim, B. A., Pentreath, V. W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
bacteraemia
Bacteremia - complications
Biological and medical sciences
ENDOTOXINAS
ENDOTOXINE
ENDOTOXINS
Endotoxins - blood
Experimental protozoal diseases and models
Infectious diseases
LAL test
Limulus Test
Medical sciences
Mice
Parasitic diseases
PATHOGENESE
PATHOGENESIS
PATOGENESIS
Protozoal diseases
TRYPANOSOMA BRUCEI
Trypanosoma brucei brucei
Trypanosomiasis, African - complications
Trypanosomiasis, African - etiology
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Summary:The involvement of endotoxins in Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in CD-1 mice was investigated by the Limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) test. At 7 days post-infection mean serum endotoxin level was elevated by 2·5 times (36·4 pg/ml cf. control 14·25 pg/ml, P < 0·001) and a similar increase was maintained throughout the infection (survival 28–35 days). Purified disrupted parasites contained significant endotoxin activity (mean value 280 pg/mg protein). The mouse infections were also associated with progressive Gram-negative bacteraemia (present in 4 Out of 5 infected animals by day 28 p.i.). The increased endotoxin levels may be due to parasite products, the products of intercurrent bacterial infections, other unidentified sources (e.g. from the gut), or a combination of these. It is concluded that the raised endotoxins may be important contributive factors in the pathogenesis of experimental murine trypanosomiasis.
ISSN:0031-1820
1469-8161
DOI:10.1017/S0031182000079397