Trypanosoma brucei gambiense: Changes in body temperature rhythms of infected New Zealand albino rabbits

Abstract

It has been shown by telemetry that uninfected New Zealand Albino rabbits exhibit a diurnal rhythm in body temperature. The maximum temperature occurred just before or during the dark period, and the lowest temperature during the light period. Preliminary data also suggested that there is a diurnal rhythm in water consumption, fecal and urine output. After these rabbits were infected with the African trypanosome, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, body temperature was significantly decreased. The diurnal rhythm in body temperature was maintained; however, the period of maximum temperature shifted from the dark into the light. Although the evidence is very preliminary, it is also suggested that the diurnal rhythms in water uptake, fecal and urine output were also maintained. Finally, the shift in the high and low time points of the daily body temperature curve during infection were reversed after chemotherapy, and the original (uninfected) curved restored.