Histological Changes in Organs of Rats Infected with Trypanosoma congolense

Five albino rats were infected with Trypanosoma congolense and killed on post infection day 28 by ether anaesthesia. Liver and kidney were removed weighed and histologically processed. All the inoculated rats developed trypanosomiasis which was characterized by a fluctuating parasitaemia and marked changes in organs. The histological changes observed in the liver were enlarged hepatocytes that contained numerous vacuoles and dissociated hepatic cords when compared with uninfected rats that revealed normal morphology. Kidney section of infected rats showed thickening of basement membrane as compared to uninfected rats. It also showed cell infiltration by macrophages and lymphocytes around glomeruli and blood vessels. The observation of cell infiltrations in the organs suggests that trypanosome infection is associated with histopathological changes that contribute to chronic debilitation.