Immunologic reactions associated with anemia, thrombocytopenia, and coagulopathy in experimental African trypanosomiasis

Abstract

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.