Alterations in sodium and potassium in red blood cells and plasma during the malaria infection ( Plasmodium lophurae)

Abstract

1. 1. During the course of infection of Plasmodium lophurae (avian malaria) in white Pekin ducklings the red blood cell sodium concentration was significantly elevated in parasitized animals (14·0±1·32 mM; mean ± S.E.M.) as compared to normal animals (8·8 ± 0·72 mM); the plasma potassium level was also significantly increased in malarious ducklings (5·4 ± 0·29 mM) when compared to normal ducklings (2·9 ± 0·18 mM). 2. 2. Cation concentrations of P. lophurae more closely resembled those of the duck erythrocyte than of duck plasma.