@article{12201,
  keywords = {Alanine Transaminase, Alkaline Phosphatase, Animals, Armadillos, Aspartate Aminotransferases, L-Lactate Dehydrogenase, leprosy},
  author = {Rojas-Espinosa O and Quesada-Pascual F and Oltra A and Arce P and Estrada-Parra S and Buchanan T M},
  title = {Biochemical alterations in the serum of armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) infected with Mycobacterium leprae. A preliminary report.},
  abstract = {<p>Armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) were inoculated with Mycobacterium leprae isolated from lepromas taken from untreated lepromatous patients or from the spleen of an armadillo previously infected with human M. leprae. The effect of the infection on the serum levels of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (AlkP), glutamate-oxalacetate (GOT) and glutamate-pyruvate (GPT) transaminases was investigated. In general, there was a good correlation between positive evidences of infection and alterations in the levels of LDH, GOT, and GPT. Although elevations in LDH levels were more striking, elevations in GOT and GPT levels were more consistent with the disease. When an absolute increase in the total LDH activity was not observed in a M. leprae-infected animal, an increase in the level of LDH isozyme V was still clearly evident. Serum levels of alkaline phosphatase were not affected by the disease. The ratio GOT/GPT (greater than 1.0) in the infected animals reflected and supported the chronic nature of the disease and the liver involvement. The enzymatic alterations are not, however, specific for leprosy.</p>},
  year = {1985},
  journal = {International journal of leprosy and other mycobacterial diseases : official organ of the International Leprosy Association},
  volume = {53},
  pages = {262-8},
  month = {1985 Jun},
  issn = {0148-916X},
  language = {eng},
}