Eperythrozoon ovis. III. The effect of infection on blood pH, concentrations of pyruvate, lactate and glucose in blood, haematology, and on concurrent and superimposed trypanosoma vivax infection in sheep.

Infections of sheep with Eperythrozoon ovis has been shown to increase pyruvate and lactate concentrations in blood and to reduce blood pH over a period of 10-14 days post-inoculation. There was no effect on the concentration of blood glucose. However, if care is not taken to inhibit glycolysis, the concentration of blood glucose in samples of blood taken for analysis falls markedly. Rapid destruction of erythrocytes started about 10 days post-inoculation and was progressive. Superimposition of Trypanosoma vivax infection on E. ovis infection did not appear to affect the growth of either parasite.