The pathological physiology of Gaigeria pachyscelis infestation

Abstract

In two experiments, sheep under controlled conditions were artificially infested with the hookworm Gaigeria pachyscelis Railliet & Henry, 1910. The effects of the helminth infestation on the host's metabolism were monitored by a series of blood, chemical and enzyme analyses. Significant changes recorded were the development of a macrocytic normochromic anaemia, hypoproteinaemia, hypocalcaemia, hyperglycaemia and eosinophilia. The disease and death of some of the sheep were due primarily to loss of blood.