title: Endotoxins and the pathogenesis of Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in mice.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Salford.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Alafiatayo
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Crawley
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Oppenheim
authors.forename: V W
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Pentreath
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000150:complications; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000097:blood*; D008033:Limulus Test; D051379:Mice; D014353:Trypanosomiasis, African / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D004731:Endotoxins