Hematological and Histopathological Effects of Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae) from Lake Victoria Shores of Uganda in Swiss Mice
John N. Kateregga, Mohammed Babu, Racheal Abuine, James G Ndukui

Abstract
This was an experimental study carried out to evaluate the hematological and histopathological effects of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) collected from Lake Victoria shores in Swiss mice. A crude aqueous cyanobacterial extract was prepared by oven drying the cyanobacteria previously preserved in 4% formalin at 45^oC. First, the acute toxicity of the extract was evaluated using mice in three groups (n=5) that were orally administered with single doses of 5,000, 7,000 and 10,000 mg/kg b.wt. Next, another batch of mice in three groups (n=5) were orally dosed daily for 21 days with doses of 312.5, 625 and 1,250 mg/kg b.wt. Hematological and histopathological changes in the liver, kidney, lungs and duodenum were determined. The oral LD₅₀ of the extract was higher than 10,000 mg/kg b.wt. The total white blood cell count in all treatment groups was significantly decreased (p<0.05) in comparison to the control group. The red blood cell count, hematocrit, and hemoglobin concentrations of the treatment groups were also significantly reduced (p<0.05) compared to those of the normal control group at 625 and 1250 mg/kg doses of the cyanobacterial extract. Histopathological investigations revealed tissue injury in higher doses. These results show that the cyanobacterial extract has detrimental effects on total WBC count and in lung, liver and duodenal tissue on continuous exposure.

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