| dc.description.abstract | Mammalian hosts of African trypanosomes show marked differences in
susceptibility to infection with Trypanosoma congolense as judged by survival time,
anaemia, and levels of parasitaemia. For instance, the N'Dama cattle and the West
African shorthorn breeds are resistant to Trypanosomiasis whereas the Zebu and
European cattle breeds are in general, more susceptible. Similarly, C57BLl6J mice are
relatively resistant to Trypanosoma congolense infection than BALB/c and A/J strains.
Because bloodstream trypanosomes cannot synthesize lipids de novo, and that
resistant animals (cattle, buffalo, and mice) have lower plasma lipid levels than the
susceptible ones, it was hypothesized in this work, that plasma lipids influence
progression of Trypanosomiasis. Furthermore, genetic studies have mapped the
quantitative trait loci (QTL) for trypanotolerance and plasma lipid levels in mice to the
same region. Finally, studies indicate that the genes that control plasma lipid levels are
differentially expressed in resistant versus susceptible strains during Trypanosomiasis
To investigate this hypothesis, the plasma lipid levels of C57BLl6J, A/J, and
BALB/c inbred mice were manipulated by feeding them (ad libitum) on calorie matched
low (5.16%) or high (23.45%) fat diets. The diets were designated low or high fat when
compared to the basal (10% fat) laboratory mouse diet. Mice were then infected with T.
congolense. Parasitaemia, body weight, plasma lipids and anaemia were then monitored.
Results indicate that the mice on the high fat diet suffered more weight loss and had low
parasitaemia than those on the low fat diet. Hence it can be concluded that, high plasma
lipid levels do not aggravate Trypanosomiasis. | en |
