Trypanosoma evansi: levels of copper, iron and zinc in the bloodstream of infected cats.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of copper, iron and zinc in blood serum of cats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma evansi. Animals were divided into two groups: control and infected with T. evansi. The animals were infected with 10(8) trypomastigotes each and parasitemia was estimated daily for 56 days by microscopic examination of smears. Hematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated for monitoring of the disease. Serum metal levels were determined in blood samples collected at days 7, 28 and 56 of the experiment. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry was used to measure the levels of copper, iron and zinc. Significant differences were observed among groups (P<0.05). Increased levels of copper and decreased iron and zinc levels were observed. A decrease in the number of red blood cells was also observed 7 days after inoculation. Biochemical parameters were not altered. Therefore, the infection by T. evansi might alter the serum metal levels, causing metabolic disturbances in cats.
Da Silva
Aleksandro S
AS
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. aleksandro_ss@yahoo.com.br
Hoehne
Lucélia
L
Tonin
Alexandre A
AA
Zanette
Régis A
RA
Wolkmer
Patrícia
P
Costa
Márcio M
MM
Moraes
Diogo P
DP
Flores
Erico M M
EM
Santurio
Janio M
JM
Lopes
Sonia T A
ST
Monteiro
Silvia G
SG
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood*; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood*; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000097:blood*; D014352:Trypanosomiasis / Q000097:blood*; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood*
D003300:Copper; D007501:Iron; D015032:Zinc