Abstract: 　Objective To study the effect of Pneumocystis carinii (Pc) infection on the level of six trace elements (Ca2+ , Mg2+ , Fe2 + , Cu2 + , Zn2+ , Mn2+ ) in the lung, liver and spleen of the rats. Methods 30 rats were randomly divided into two groups:20 rats in the experimental group and 10 in the control group. Each rat in the experimental group was injected subcutaneously with dexamethasone (1 mg per rat) twice a week. All rats in the experiment group (Pc infected and PC negative) and the control group were killed to obtain lungs, livers and spleens after 10 weeks and the atomic absorption method was used for element analysis. Results Compared with the Pc negative group and the control group, the level of Zn2+ in the lung in Pc infected group was significantly reduced (P<0.05). The amount of Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the infected rats were higher than that of the control (P<0.05). No difference was determined in the content of Fe2+ , Cu2+ and Mn2+ among the Pc infected group, the Pc negative group and the control group. The level of Zn2+ in liver in the Pc infected group was significantly reduced (P<0.05). The amount of Mg2+ in the Pc infected rats was higher than that of the control (P<0.05), but no difference was found in the content of Ca2+ , Fe2+ , Cu2+ and Mn2 + among the groups. The level of Zn2+ and Cu2+ in spleen in Pc infected group was significantly reduced (P < 0. 05 ) , and no difference was found in the content of Ca2+ , Mg2+ , Fe2+ and Mn among the three groups. Conclusion Pneumocystis carinii infection might play a role in the changes of trace elements in the lung, liver and spleen of rats.

Key words: Pneumocystis carinii, trace element, lung, liver, spleen, rat