Roles of Parasitosis Clinical and Biochemical Parameters in Diagnosis and Monitoring Trypanosoma Brucei Rhodesiense Infections in Vervet Monkey

Abstract

This study investigated the role of clinical symptoms, blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), parasitosis, hematocrit, white blood cells (WBCs) and protein concentration in diagnosis of trypanosomiasis in Vervet Monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops) infected with Trypanosoma brucei rhodensiense (KETRI 2537) and treated with Berenil and Melarsoprol. The pre-patent period was 3.75±0.17 days. At the onset of parasitaemia fever, increased respiratory and pulse rate, splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy and wasting (4.05±0.77%) were observed. Other classical symptoms such as raised hair coat and skin rashes, changes of eyes and teeth, stiffness of joints, muscle tremors, ataxia and abnormal posture, edema of genetalia, lethargy, somnolence, pallor of mucus membranes and change of demeanor were not observed. Arise in parasitaemia to a peak level of 8.15±0.03 approximately 14.17±0.27-day post infection (DPI) was observed. After institution of Berenil treatment at 31.50±0.27 DPI, parasitaemia dropped to undetectable levels 12.14±0.17 days later (43.42±4.2 DPI). Trypanosomes relapse in the blood occurred 145.60±5.29 DPT with Berenil and cleared after Melarsoprol treatment at 171±2.77 DPI (136±1.77 day of post treatment (DPT) with Berenil). Hematocrit decreased significantly after infection and after Berenil treatment, returning to normal after Melarsoprol treatment. WBC counts increased significantly with fluctuations to >5 cell/mm3 by 17.50±1.77 DPI even after Berenil treatment dropping to levels <5cell/mm3 at 224.68±4.67 DPI (86.5±2.47 DPT with Melarsoprol). Total CSF protein concentration increased >25mg/dL at 17.50±1.77 DPI even after Berenil treatment reaching a peak at 49.24±3.07 DPI (17.74±3.02 DPT with Berenil). Melarsoprol treatment led to a decrease in total CSF protein concentration though still above the pre-infection level even at the end of the study period. Parasitosis, clinical and biochemical parameters are indictive of trypanosome infection.