PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS ON BLOOD OF RATS INFECTED WITH PLASMODIUM BERGHEI

Abstract

In the peripheral blood of rats infected with Plasmodium berghei (berghei), severemacrocytic hyperchromic anemia was shown in the acute stage of infection, with anincrease of parasitized red blood cells beginning in the 2nd week postinfection.A remarkable increase in monocytes was observed in the acute stage and leukopeniain the chronic stage. GOT, GPT, LDH, and total bilirubin began to increase markedlyin the serum 3 days postinfection. Total cholesterol and cholinesterase increased moderate-ly in the chronic stage of infection. Total protein, albumin, and alkaline phosphatasewere reduced moderately and gamma globulin increased over a period from the acute totJte chronic stages.Among the laistopathological changes of the liver, mobilization of capillary endotltelialcells was especially conspicuous, giving rise to an increase of pigment-phagocytic cells.