Joseph F. Nfongeh, James Epoke
Abstract
The response of some haematological parameters in neonatal albino rats to different filtrate dosages of cell free extracts of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 obtained from human, cattle and chicken sources were investigated. At higher levels of extracts administration [1.0ml and 2.0ml], Packed cell volume [PCV], Haemoglobin count [HBC] and Red Blood cell Count [RBC] had highest decrease with human faeces isolates [IHF] from 49.9 to 48.0%, 12.0-10.4g dl-1 and 7.7 to 7.6 x 109 ml-1 respectively. White Blood count [WBC], Erythrocytes sedimentation Rate [ESR), Lymphocytes and Neutrophils counts on the other hand had highest increase with cattle isolates [ICT] ranging from 4.0 to 8.2 x 106 ml-1, 3.0 to 6.0x106 ml-1, 2.20 to 3.80 x 106 ml-1 and 1.60 to 3.90 x 106 ml-1 respectively. Statistical analysis showed significant difference [P<0.05] in the effects of the filtrate dosages on neutrophils and PCV in all the isolates. Significant difference [p<0.05] on the effects of the various dosages of human isolates [IHF] poultry [IPB] and cattle [ICT] isolates on both WBC and ESR were also observed . However, no significant difference was observed [P>0.05] with regards to the general effects of isolates on the haematological parameters studied. Cell free extracts of E. coli 0157:H7 used were found to have an overall negative effect on the haematological indices. Albino rats can therefore be recommended for use as a reliable small animal model to study host early responses as well as the role of bacterial virulence factors in the induction of haematological diseases