Studies of Blood Coagulation and Pathology in Experimental Infection of Guinea Pigs with Junin Virus

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Hemostatic studies were performed in 17 guinea pigs infected with 100 50% lethal doses of the XJ prototype strain of Junin virus. A progressive decrease in number of platelets was found after day 7 of infection. The lowest value was registered on day 13 (mean ± standard error, 49,500 ± 10,500/mm3). Levels of blood clotting factors diminished from day 9 on. No changes in the concentration of fibrinogen were observed on days 7 and 9 after infection; however, a progressive increase was found in the later stages of infection. Fibrin monomers were present from day 7 to day 13. Fibrinogen degradation products were not detected in serum or in urine. These results suggest activation of the blood dotting system up to the stage of thrombin, as is indicated by the presence of fibrin monomers. It is probable that the initial decrease in the number of platelets may be related to impaired production in the bone marrow as has been shown by other investigators. The absence of fibrin degradation products in serum suggests that there is no intravascular fibrin deposition in this experimental model of hemorrhagic fever. This finding was confirmed by histologic studies.