Original Article
Korean J Parasitol. 1972 Aug;10(2):71-78. English.
Published online Mar 20, 1994.  http://dx.doi.org/10.3347/kjp.1972.10.2.71
Copyright © 1972 by The Korean Society for Parasitology
Measurement of blood loss using 51Cr in heavy infection cases of Trichocephalus trichiurus
Seung Yull Cho
Department of Parasitology and Institute of Endemic Diseases, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Korea.
Abstract

This study was undertaken to find out the possibility of iron-deficiency anemia by the intestinal blood loss in massive infection cases of T. trichiurus. Among the children of a community in which the whipworm infections were highly prevalent, 7 cases were selected whose E.P.G. of whipworm ova were more than 1,000. The hematological findings and estimated blood loss using 51Cr were undertaken. The results could be summarized as follows:

1) The E.P.G. and E.P.D. of T. trichiurus ova in studied 7 cases were 10,500-37,200/gm of feces and 0.90-5.14 million/day respectively.

2) Findings of hematological examination were in lower limit of normal in hemoglobin content and hematocrit. And erythrocytes were neither microcytic nor hypochromic. Differential count of leucocytes showed persistently low grade of eosinophilia.

3) Serum iron content measured by modification of Barkan method showed subnormal value in 5 out of 7 cases.

4) Erythrocyte radioactivity half disappearance time(T½) and intestinal blood loss were estimated using 51Cr-tagging erythrocytes. And the results showed that T½ were shortened (13-19 days ) in all cases and the blood loss was 0.94-6.54 ml/day which were correlated with worm burden (E.P.D.) significantly.

5) From the above results, it could be concluded that intestinal blood loss of T. trichiurus heavy infection were actually occurred but the amount of losses were easily compensated.

Figures


Fig. 1
Relation between E.P.D of T. trichiurus and daily blood loss measured by 51Cr.

Tables


Table 1
Result of egg counting by Stoll's method in this study


Table 2
Result of haematological examinations and serum iron contents


Table 3
Result of erythrocyte radioactivity half disappearence time (=T½) and blood loss

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