Related Experiment Videos
[Time course of serum nuclease activity in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei]
Abstract:
The present paper shows that murine serum nuclease activity increases following P.berghei infection. DNA activity begins increasing just 48 hours after infection. Following 78 hours, it achieves the maximum, by exceeding the baseline level by 6 times. Then DNA activity starts decreasing and following 94 hours after infection it is just thrice higher than the baseline. Serum RNA activity shows only 30% increases 72 hours after infection and returns to the baseline following 94 hours. Microscopic monitoring indicates that only single malaria causative agents appear in the red blood cells in this period. The peak increases in nuclease activities after P.berghei infection are assumed to be associated with the induction of serum infection.
Insights
Murine serum nuclease activity significantly elevates after Plasmodium berghei infection, with DNA activity peaking at six times the baseline. This suggests a link between heightened nuclease levels and the malaria infection process.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Parasitology
- Immunology
Background:
- Plasmodium berghei is a malaria parasite that infects rodents.
- Nuclease activity in serum can be indicative of various physiological and pathological processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the changes in serum nuclease activity in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei.
- To correlate nuclease activity fluctuations with the progression of malaria infection.
Main Methods:
- Murine model of Plasmodium berghei infection.
- Measurement of serum DNAse and RNAse activity over time post-infection.
- Microscopic examination of red blood cells for parasite presence.
Main Results:
- Serum DNAse activity increased significantly, reaching a peak of 6 times the baseline at 78 hours post-infection.
- Serum RNAse activity showed a moderate increase of 30% at 72 hours, returning to baseline by 94 hours.
- Microscopy confirmed the presence of single malaria parasites in red blood cells during the observed period.
Conclusions:
- Plasmodium berghei infection induces a marked increase in murine serum nuclease activity, particularly DNAse.
- The observed elevation in nuclease activity is likely a host response to the malaria infection.