Studies On The Resistance Of Host Red Blood Cells To Trypanosoma Vivax Phospholipases

Five goats were experimentally infected with Trypanesomavivax and the packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb)levels and serum free fatty acid (FFA) levels were monitored.A cyolical fluctuation was observed in the development ofparasitemia during the twenty-six-day period of infectionwith the highest peaks on days five and twelve. There wasa general gradual decrease in both the PCV and the Hb levelsof all the infected animals, an indication of progressiveanaemia. The anaemia became very severe by day twenty-sixpost infection as shown by the very low values of the PCV andHb levels. One of the infected animals died of acut infectionon day twenty-six post infection. Analysis for serum FFAshowed a general increase in the FFA levels of all the infectedanimals throughout the period of infection.Investigation into the haemolytic activity of theisolated phospholipase A2 showed that the enzyme does notcause any significant haemolysis of host (bovine) erythrocytesin the absence of serum albumin. However, in the presence of3.5% albumin, the enzyme caused up to 70% haemolysis. In thepresence of 20mM EDTA, a potent inhibitor of phospholipaseA2?, only 8.0% haemolysis was observed. The development ofdrugs for the treatment of anaemia in trypanosomiasis usinginhibitors of phospholipases is therefore suggested

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