allopurinol and Trypanosomiasis--African

The review discusses the roles of serum xanthine oxidase, serum catalase and trypanosome-specific immune responses in the regulation of the level of trypanosome parasitaemic waves in Cape buffalo.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Protozoan; Antibody Specificity; Buffaloes; Catalase; Parasitemia; Trypanosoma; Trypanosomiasis, African; Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma; Xanthine Oxidase

Pyrazolopyrimidines are purine analogues. These compounds are metabolized by the pathogenic hemoflagellates and other members of the family Trypanosomatidae as though they were purines. This metabolic sequence does not exist in man or other mammals. In the hemoflagellates, the pyrazolopyrimidine base, of which allopurinol is the paradigm, undergoes ribosylphosphorylation to the ribonucleotide. This ribonucleotide may remain as such or be aminated to the amino analogue and further converted to the aminopyrazolopyrimidine ribonucleoside triphosphate. The latter is incorporated into RNA. This metabolic sequence has been demonstrated in the genera Leishmania and Trypanosoma.

Topics: Allopurinol; Animals; Antiprotozoal Agents; Aotus trivirgatus; Chagas Disease; Humans; Leishmania; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Polyribosomes; Protein Biosynthesis; Ribonucleosides; RNA; Thionucleosides; Trypanosoma; Trypanosoma cruzi; Trypanosomiasis; Trypanosomiasis, African

Constitutive anti-Trypanosoma brucei subsp. brucei S 427 clone 1 and 22 activities were evaluated in sera from 22 species of nonprimate mammals. The sera fell into 5 categories. Sera from Cape buffalo, giraffe, and greater kudu showed a concentration-dependent inhibition of replication of the 2 clones of organisms, which was dependent on the presence of xanthine oxidase. Sera from warthog and springbok also severely limited trypanosome replication but lacked xanthine oxidase. Their antitrypanosome activity was inactivated by heating at 56 C for 30 min but not affected by absorbing with trypanosomes at 4 C. Sera from lion and leopard showed a concentration-dependent inhibition of the growth of T. brucei S427 clone 1 organisms, but not clone 22 organisms. These sera lacked xanthine oxidase. Their anti-T. brucei S 427 clone 1 activity was inactivated by heating at 56 C for 30 min but not removed by absorbing with trypanosomes. Serum from Grant's gazelle prevented replication of both T. brucei clones, lacked xanthine oxidase, and was not affected by heating at 56 C. Sera from waterbuck, Thompson's gazelle, sitatunga, Cape hartebeeste, gerenuk, Grant's zebra, cow, several cat, cougar, bobcat, and domestic cat were fully supportive of trypanosome replication irrespective of concentration tested up to a maximum of 48% v/v in culture medium. Sera from different individuals of the same mammal species had similar effects on trypanosomes, and samples collected from the same individual at different times also had similar activities indicating species-specific stable expression, or lack thereof, of constitutive serum antitrypanosome components.

Topics: Animals; Animals, Zoo; Antelopes; Antibodies, Protozoan; Artiodactyla; Buffaloes; Carnivora; Complement System Proteins; Culture Media; Hot Temperature; Hydrogen Peroxide; Immune Sera; Swine; Trypanosoma brucei brucei; Trypanosomiasis, African; Uric Acid; Xanthine Oxidase

Topics: Animals; Buffaloes; Trypanosoma; Trypanosomiasis, African; Xanthine Oxidase