fibrin and Trypanosomiasis--African

Rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense developed anemia, thrombocytopenia, and hypocomplementemia. Anemia, thrombocytopenia, and sharp reductions in parasitemia were associated with elevated titers of cold-active hemagglutinin, antibody to fibrinogen/fibrin-related products, and immunoconglutinin. Depletion of lytic complement, prolonged partial thromboplastin times, and presence of fibrin monomers in the blood occurred at the time anemia and significant elevations in precipitable immune complexes were observed. Terminally, consumption of immunologic factors coincided with accelerated partial thromboplastin times. At death, convulsions and hemoptysis with labored breathing suggested that the animals died of respiratory failure and that disseminated intravascular coagulation may have occurred. It is suggested that microthrombiosis might have resulted from the immunologic interaction of complex-coated blood cells with immunoconglutinin and contributed to the terminal disease signs.

Topics: Agglutinins; Anemia; Animals; Antigen-Antibody Complex; Autoantibodies; Blood Coagulation Disorders; Complement System Proteins; Fibrin; Fibrinogen; Rats; Thrombocytopenia; Trypanosomiasis, African

Rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense developed a syndrome characterized by anemia, splenomegaly, and glomerulonephritis. Serologic evaluation revealed that the syndrome was accompanied by the presence of 3 autoantibodies--cold-active hemagglutinin, immunoconglutinin, and antibody to fibrinogen/fibrin products. Fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated antibody tests showed the presence of fixed complement and fibrinogen on both trypanosomes and erythrocytes. All infected rats died by the ninth day of the infection with 5 animals showing signs of pulmonary involvement and shock. From these observations it is suggested that autoantigens, autoantibodies, and complement may have been causal in this syndrome.

Topics: Anemia; Animals; Antigen-Antibody Reactions; Autoantibodies; Complement Fixation Tests; Fibrin; Fibrinogen; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Glomerulonephritis; Hemagglutinins; Kidney; Male; Rats; Spleen; Splenomegaly; Syndrome; Trypanosomiasis, African

Topics: Animals; Arsenicals; Erythrocytes; Female; Fibrin; Fibrinogen; Fibrinolysin; Hemagglutination Tests; Immunization; Male; Plasminogen; Rabbits; Sheep; Thrombin; Time Factors; Triazines; Trypanocidal Agents; Trypanosomiasis, African