Influence of Soil-Transmitted Helminths in the Blood Biochemical Profile of Naturally Infected Rats

Soil-transmitted helminths are geohelminths that induce infection in humans and animals. The irregular release of parasite eggs or larvae further complicates the diagnosis. This study aimed to establish the main alterations in the blood biochemical parameters such as creatinine, total bilirubin, and total protein levels of soil-transmitted helminth infected rats. Rats were exposed to soil samples contaminated with parasite eggs. Blood and stool samples were collected from the two groups of rats on the 15th and 30th days after exposure for biochemical analysis and stool analysis utilizing an automated biochemistry analyzer and formol-ether concentration technique, respectively. The results of this study revealed that on day 15, the creatinine (0.540 ± 0.055 mg/dl) and total bilirubin (0.183 ± 0.085 mg/dl) levels were significantly higher than the normal reference values, but the total protein level (6.080 ± 1.287 g/dl) has no significant difference. On day 30, a higher increase in the creatinine (0.600 ± 0.000 mg/dl) and total bilirubin (0.320 ± 0.091 mg/dl) levels were observed. The total protein level revealed a significant decrease with 4.980 ± 0.785 g/dl compared to the normal values and day 15 result. The biochemical parameters of the control group were observed to be within the normal physiological values. Without a clinical diagnosis, blood biochemical parameters can change in response to parasite invasions and the early stages of diseases. Therefore, it may aid in determining the current pathophysiology of soil-transmitted helminths among reservoir hosts.