Abstract
Mycoplasma pulmonis (M. pulmonis) is a chronic infection that can appear in laboratory animal facilities. Deviations in hemorheological parameters during many pathological processes were detected, but it is unknown to what extent M. pulmonis infection causes changes in micro-rheological parameters. We performed our study on 25 symptomatic and asymptomatic Wistar rats, randomly selected from the entire population and presumably infected with Mycoplasma. From the blood samples, we determined the hematological parameters, red blood cell deformability under varying shear stress and varying osmolality, and the degree of red blood cell aggregation. We used the data of age- and sex-matched animals from our previous research as a control. Red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit values, and platelet count were significantly reduced in Mycoplasma-infected animals. Significantly reduced erythrocyte aggregation and deformability were detected. In conclusion, M. pulmonis infection causes significant changes in hemorheological and hematological parameters. Periodic measurement of these parameters can help monitor the infection.