Serum proteins in guinea-pigs and horses infected with Trypanosoma evansi (Steel, 1885) |
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Authors: | C M Monzón V I Villavicencio |
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Institution: | Veterinary Diagnostic and Research Centre-CEDIVEF, Formosa, Argentina. |
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Abstract: | The serum protein pattern in guinea-pigs infected with T. evansi was analysed and compared with those found in horses with either a natural or experimental infection. In both species, a highly significant decrease in albumin levels and an increase in gamma-globulins were seen, leading to a very low albumin/globulin ratio. No significant differences in total protein levels between healthy and infected animals were registered. Likewise, alpha-globulins were not significantly affected. A decrease in beta-globulins was observed in one horse and in guinea-pigs with experimental infection, while in horses with natural infections this decrease was not constant. The serum protein patterns in guinea-pigs infected with T. evansi appeared similar to those occurring in horses infected with this parasite. Guinea-pigs, therefore may be useful laboratory models for the study of equine trypanosomosis caused by T. evansi. |
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