Influence of Rangelia vitalii (Apicomplexa: Piroplasmorida) on copper, iron, and zinc bloodstream levels in experimentally infected dogs

The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of copper, iron, and zinc in blood serum of dogs experimentally infected with Rangelia vitalii (n  =  7) compared with uninfected controls (n  =  5). Serum metal levels were determined in blood samples collected at days 0, 10, 15, and 20 post-infection (PI). Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry was used to measure the levels of copper, iron, and zinc. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed among groups PI. Increased levels of copper and decreased levels of iron and zinc were observed in the infected animals. The infection by R. vitalii may, therefore, alter the serum metal levels, resulting in metabolic disorders in dogs. These metals are directly involved in many enzymatic systems; accordingly, alterations in their blood concentrations may also influence the pathogenesis of disease.

Biochemical changes in cats infected with Trypanosoma evansi

This study aimed at evaluating biochemical changes of cats (Felis catus) experimentally infected with Trypanosoma evansi. Seven animals were infected with 10(8) blood trypomastigotes per animal and six were used as controls. Blood smears were performed daily for 56 days and the hepatic, renal and muscular parameters in blood serum were evaluated at days 0, 7, 21, 35 and 49. The protozoan was found in the bloodstream 24-48 h post-inoculation (PI) and irregular peaks of parasitemia were observed throughout the experiment. Muscular enzymatic activities (aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase) were increased in infected cats compared to controls. Increased concentrations of total proteins and globulins and decreased levels of albumin and albumin/globulin ratio were observed in infected group versus the controls values (P<0.05). No alteration in serum activity of alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, creatinine and urea was observed in both groups.