Serum proteins in guinea-pigs and horses infected with Trypanosoma evansi (Steel, 1885).
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.
Veterinary Diagnostic and Research Centre-CEDIVEF, Formosa, Argentina.
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Monzón
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Villavicencio
D000818:Animals; D001797:Blood Protein Electrophoresis / Q000662:veterinary; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D006736:Horses; D014352:Trypanosomiasis / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary*
D001798:Blood Proteins