Plasmodium berghei: physiopathological changes during infections in mice.

Using infections of Plasmodium berghei in laboratory mice, the following physiopathological changes were observed during the seven days of the infection: reduction in haematocrit, increases in parasitized erythrocytes, pulmonary oedema, hypothermia, formation of prostaglandin-like substances in the central nervous system, increases and decreases in plasma bradykininogen levels and leucocytosis, as evidenced by neutrophilia, lymphocytosis and monocytosis. We found no changes in total plasma protein levels and albumin/globulin ratio.