Posted on

The Pattern Of Packed Cell Volume, Plasma Electrolytes And Glucose Levels In Patients Infected With Plasmodium falciparum

MF Olaniyan

 

Abstract

Fifty-two patients (27 males, 25 females aged 25 &plusmn: 18.4 years) with Plasmodium falciparum infection and 53 healthy control subjects (27 males, 26 females aged 28.3 ± 19.2 years) were recruited for the study. Plasma electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl–), glucose and HCO3– were respectively analyzed colorimetrically and biochemically. There was an observed lower significant mean value of packed cell volume, Na+, HCO3–and glucose in Plasmodium falciparum infected subjects than the values obtained from the normal control subjects with p < 0.05. Higher significant mean value of Cl– and K+ was observed in the test than the control subjects (p < 0.05). Significantly lower packed cell volume, Na+, Cl–, glucose and higher significant K+ levels were observed in the test subjects aged 1-10 years than test subjects aged 11-72 years with p < 0.05. This study further affirms the effects of Plasmodium falciparum infection on the pattern of packed cell volume, plasma electrolytes and glucose concentrations.
Key words: Electrolytes, Plasmodium falciparum, Glucose, Packed Cell Volume

Afr. J. Clin. Exper. Microbiol. 2005; 6(2): 87-90

Posted on

Observations on the tolerance of young dogs (puppies) to infection with Trypanosoma congolense

JN Abenga, K David, COG Ezebuiro, FAG Lawani

 

Abstract

Studies were undertaken to assess the susceptibility of young local dogs to infection with Trypanosoma congolensei. Six puppies (7 weeks old) were used for the study. Although the puppies became parasitaemic 6 to 7 days post infection, they were tolerant to infection as the parasitaemia remained low through out the first seven weeks of the eight week observation period. The packed cell volume (PCV) also only dropped slightly during the last four weeks attaining the value of 25.6 + 3.8 (p>0.05) by the eighth week while the mean body weight continued to increase. Similarly, the mean daily body temperature did not differ significantly from those of un-infected control. The significance of trypanotolerance in Nigerian local dogs is discussed.

Key Words: local puppies, low parasitaemia, packed cell volume, Trypanosoma congolense, trypanotolerance, Nigerian

Afr. J. Clin. Exper. Microbiol. Vol.6(1) 2005: 28-33