Tissue fluid in rabbits infected withTrypanosoma(Trypanozoon)brucei

Perforated plastic cylinders (hair curlers) were implanted subcutaneously in rabbits for the collection of tissue fluid. Using this technique, a study was made of the chemical constituents of tissue fluid and serum in rabbits infected withTrypanosoma (Trypanozoon) brucei, as compared with uninfected, control animals. Changes were caused by the infection in the concentrations of proteins, electrolytes, urea, creatinine, cholesterol and pyruvate, and in the activities of the enzymes aspartate transaminase, creatine phosphokinase and alkaline phosphatase. Antitrypanosomal antibody, detectable by the indirect fluorescent antibody technique, was shown to penetrate the tissue fluid and to reach a titre of about one-fifth of that in the serum. Renal failure, probably resulting from allergic reactions, was shown to be a contributory cause of death in rabbits infected withT. (T.)brucei.