Erythrocytes morphology and hemorheology in severe bacterial infection

BACKGROUND Severe bacterial infections initiate inadequate inflammation that leads to disseminated intravascular coagulation and death. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the influence of bacterial infection on blood viscosity and red blood cells (RBCs) morphology, and the ability of Calotropis procera proteins (CpLP) to prevent the patho-hemorheology in infected animals. METHODS Rheology of blood, atomic force microscopy measurements on specific blood elements and blood count were performed to examine changes in blood viscosity, RBCs morphology, platelets activation, and RBCs indices. FINDINGS In...