Comparative bone marrow responses of albino rats experimentally infected with single and mixed species of Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma brucei and ability to control anaemia

Effect of Trypanosoma congolence and T. brucei mixed infection on ability of the bone marrow to respond to anemia was investigated in albino rats. This was with the view of assessing the possible impact on recovery rate from anemia following chemotherapy of African trypanosomosis. The investigation involved descriptive evaluation of packed cell volume and corresponding bone marrow cytological changes associated with single and mixed infection of T. congolense and T. brucei. It involved laboratory based experimental infection of albino rats as research models. A total of 32 adult albino rats of mixed sexes were used for this investigation. The rats were randomly grouped into three groups, A, B, C made up of 8 rats each, and infected with T. congolense, T brucei and mixed infection of these species.. Eight other rats served as the uninfected control group.Parameters measured included weekly packed cell volume (PCV) and differential bone marrow cytology of the different groups of infected and control rats at the end of 21 days post infection (PI). At the end of 21 days PI, the anemia characterized by drop in PCV was most severe in the mixed infection group, and least in T. brucei group with tendency for self-recovery from anemia. The bone marrow responses in the mixed infection group was however weak and inferior to that of T. brucei and T. Congolense groups. Poor erythropoietic response in the mixed infection group despite significant fall (P < 0.05) in PCV level was believed to arise from severe renal and hepatic pathology resulting to subnormal erythropoietin release and severe stem cell injury. This is believed would cause longer time to be taken by mixed infection animals to recover from anemia after chemotherapy. It is concluded that T. congolense and T. brucei mixed infection result to marked incapacitation of the bone marrow and ability for recovery from anemia. This suggests that supportive administration of synthetic erythropoietin may be required in trypanosome specie mixed infection situation due to severe pathological effects on the kidney and liver resulting to impaired erythropoietinbiosynthesis and slow recovery from anemia following chemotherapy in African trypanosomiasis.Keywords: Anemia, bone marrow, mixed infection, rats, trypanosomiasis, erythropoieti

Incursion of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Serotype O East Africa Topotype -3 (O/EA-3) in Nigeria

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an endemic transboundary animal disease that affects livestock health across most of sub-Saharan Africa. Since the first official report of FMD in Nigeria in 1924, serotypes O, A, SAT 1 and SAT 2 have been documented within the  country. Molecular epidemiology has been used to trace the origin of FMD outbreaks in the case of animal movement, inter-species transmissions and trans-continental introductions. Phylogenetic analyses of VP1 nucleotide sequences of the twelve isolates (n=12) provide evidence for the presence of type O/EAST AFRICA 3 (EA-3) in Nigeria. The epidemiological situation of FMD in Nigeria and other West African countries is further complicated by the emergence of the O/EA-3 lineage that is causing new outbreaks in the region in addition to the West Africa (WA) topotype that has been known to be in circulation in Nigeria and other parts of West African and  Central African regions. These recent development in west and central Africa, indicates the dynamic and complex nature of FMD epidemiology in the region and this is not un-connected to the nomadism in the region. In addition the un-restricted animal movement across the porous border in the region in search of pasture and water for their animal has contributed to the spread of diseases across  the region. From the results the phylogenetic analysis of the O/EA-3 has close identity and was closely related to O/EA-3 from the 2009 outbreak in Sudan. Therefore, based on these findings a sustained surveillance is required to yet understand the epidemiology of FMD  in West and Central Africa that will inform the type of vaccine and target areas in other to control the disease. The need to restrict animal movement across the border should be put in place and where necessary all animals that must move from one point to another  must have proper evidence of vaccine certification before it should be allow access into the area. Finally for effective FMD control, regional vaccination and surveillance should be advocated and it should be backed by law. The need to have FMD vaccination at national as well as regional FMD control policy is strongly advocate for effective FMD control in Nigeria and across the regions. Key words: Topotype, West African; FMD and Nigeri

Result of 2004 extended trypanosomosis survey of ruminants at Kachia Grazing Reserve, North Central Nigeria

Tsetse fly and trypanosome prevalence in ruminants were estimated in April and August, peak months of the dry and rainy seasons in the Kachia Grazing Reserve (KGR) of Kaduna State, North Central Nigeria. This study was subsequent to reports of seasonal outmigration of semi nomadic Fulani from the grazing reserve due to death of cattle from trypanosomosis. Result of blood samples showed an overall parasitological infection rate of 17.4%. Infection rates in cattle, sheep and goats were, 18.6%, 9.5% and 5.1% respectively. Over all higher infection rate in the rainy season was attributed to abundance of tsetse and other hematophagus flies. Infection rate in younger animals (21.9%) was higher compared to those of older animals (16.5%). Trypanosoma vivax was the dominant infecting trypanosome specie followed by T. congolense and T. brucei.It was concluded that tsetse fly and trypanosomosis constituted dual plagues limiting economic livestock production and settling of the pastoralists in the grazing reserve. This warrants application of sustainable integrated control measures to enhance utilization of abundant fodder at the reserve.Key words: Kachia grazing reserve, trypanosomosis, ruminants, infection rates, Nigeria. Resultat de l'enquete de trypanosomose extension de 2004 des ruminants a la reserve de piscine Kachia, Nigeria Centrale du NordLa prévalence de la mouche tsé-tsé et du trypanosome chez les ruminants a été estimée en avril et août, les mois de pointe des saisons secanes et pluvieuses dans la réserve de pâturage de Kachia (KGR) de l'État de Kaduna, dans le nord du centre du Nigeria. Cette étude a été postérieure à des rapports d'émigration saisonnière de Fulani semi-nomades provenant de la réserve de pâturage en raison de la mort de bovins de la trypanosomose. Le résultat des échantillons de sang a montré un taux global d'infection parasitaire de 17,4%. Les taux d'infection chez les bovins, les ovins et les chèvres étaient respectivement de 18,6%, 9,5% et 5,1%. Le taux d'infection plus élevé pendant la saison des pluies a été attribué à l'abondance de mouches tsé-tsé et d'autres mouches hématophobes. Le taux d'infection chez les animaux plus jeunes (21,9%) était plus élevé par rapport à ceux des animaux plus âgés (16,5%). Trypanosoma vivax était le trypanosome infectant dominant suivi de T. congolense et T. brucei.On a conclu que la mouche tsé-tsé et la trypanosomose constituaient des fléaux doubles limitant la production d'élevage économique et la colonisation des pasteurs dans la réserve de pâturage. Cela justifie l'application de mesures de contrôle intégrées durables pour améliorer l'utilisation de fourrages abondants dans la réserve.Mots clés: réserve de pâturage de Kachia, trypanosomose, ruminants, taux d'infection, Nigeri

Serum total proteins and creatinine levels in experimental gambian trypanosomosis of vervet monkeys

Although Human African Trypanosomosis presently constitute a major socio-economic problem in several parts of sub-Saharan Africa, conflicting reports on experiemental infections appear to be one of the factors limiting the chemotherapeutic control of the disease. Attempt was therefore made to evaluate the effect of two strains of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense on total proteins and other serum biochemical parameters using vervet monkeys as a model. The outcome of both strains in vervet monkeys was traumatic as the monkeys died from infection 12 - 15 weeks post infection while the serum total proteins increased due to increase in serum globulins with resultant fall in the albumin/globulin ratio. Similarly creatinine and fibrinogen levels increased after infection. The study confirms the existence of atypical virulent infections with a resultant early death from T. b. gambiense

Seasonal Variation in Trypanosomosis Rates in Small Ruminants at the Kaduna Abattoir, Nigeria

Seasonal variation in trypanosome parasitological infection rates in small ruminants was studied at the Kaduna Central abattoir, North Central Nigeria. Blood samples were obtained at slaughter from 320 goats and 209 sheep during the dry and rainy seasons and examined using the Haematocrit Centrifugation Technique, Buffy coat method and Giemsa stained blood smears. The packed cell volume of the animals were also obtained. The over all trypanosome infection rate in all small ruminants was 2.10%. Infection rates in sheep and goats were 2.39% and 1.88% respectively. The infection rates were higher in rainy season than the dry season while Trypanosoma vivax was the dominant infecting trypanosome in all the ruminants followed by T. congolense and T. brucei. Infection rates observed here were relatively high and confirmed the resurgence of animal trypanosomosis in the country and its threat to sustainable livestock production