Serum total proteins and creatinine levels in experimental gambian trypanosomosis of vervet monkeys

Abstract

Although Human African Trypanosomosis presently constitute a major socio-economic problem in several parts of sub-Saharan Africa, conflicting reports on experiemental infections appear to be one of the factors limiting the chemotherapeutic control of the disease. Attempt was therefore made to evaluate the effect of two strains of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense on total proteins and other serum biochemical parameters using vervet monkeys as a model. The outcome of both strains in vervet monkeys was traumatic as the monkeys died from infection 12 – 15 weeks post infection while the serum total proteins increased due to increase in serum globulins with resultant fall in the albumin/globulin ratio. Similarly creatinine and fibrinogen levels increased after infection. The study confirms the existence of atypical virulent infections with a resultant early death from T. b. gambiense.

African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (2), pp. 187-190, 2005