Biochemical and morphological changes in Trypanosoma brucei brucei- infected rats treated with homidium chloride and diminazene aceturate

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy which is one of the major methods for controlling trypanosomal infections is beset with several challenges including unwanted toxicity and limited efficacy. These factors and others underscore research efforts aimed at finding safer and more effective therapeutic agents for trypanosomiasis. Homidium chloride and diminazene aceturate are registered drugs for the treatment of animal trypanosomiasis. METHODS: Study investigated and compared, in an experimental Trypanosoma infection, the effects of two trypanocides on the pathology of tissues and some biochemical indices in rats. RESULTS: Data revealed that the levels of alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase in infected positive animals were significantly (p<0.05) elevated relative to uninfected negative controls but showed no significant difference when compared with the trypanocide-treatment groups. The histopathological presentations in the infected and treatment groups are a demonstration of the inimical cellular alterations associated with Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection. CONCLUSIONS: The inimical alterations to biochemical and morphological parameters observed in the infected as well as the treatment groups is an implication suggesting shortcomings of the investigated trypanocides to alleviate pathology associated with Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection. We present evidence that further supports the urgent need for the development of safer and more effective trypanocides.