Prevalence and haematological changes associated with trypanosome infection in wild tilapia fish in Ibadan, Nigeria

There is paucity of information on the incidence and haematological changes associated with trypanosome infection in Nigerian fishes. This investigation examined randomly buffy coat and blood smears of Tilapia in the wild by direct microscopy for Trypanosomes and complete haematology were analyzed. Of the 200 samples collected, 17.5% were positive for trypanosome by buffy coat examination. The Packed cell volume (PCV) of trypanosome-infected fish was 15.3+ 0.9% compared to noninfected fish (p<0.01) with PCV of 38.4+1.3%. All the haematocrit values obtained in trypanosome-infected fish showed the pattern of anaemia in trypanosomiasis. The report establishes the fact that trypanosomiasis in fish is similar to those find in animals.Keywords: Tilapia, Wild, Trypanosome, Haematolog

Prevalence of haemoparasites in captive crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) and associated haematological changes

The increase in awareness and practice of reptile domestication has led to more knowledge of reptiles medicine in Nigeria. However, with this awareness, there is a paucity of information on the clinical presentation of crocodiles in health and disease. A study was therefore carried out using ten 21⁄2 to 3 years old captive juvenile crocodiles Crocodylus niloticus with live body weights of 1.5-3 kg having haemo-infection. Three millilitres of blood was collected through the caudal tail vein for haematological analysis. A blood smear was used for morphological identification of haemoparasites. The haematological values obtained were; PCV (%) 25.70 ± 4.3, Hb (g/dl) 7.80±6.6, RBC (×106/μl) 1.24±0.37, MCV (fl) 197.50±25.72, MCHC (g/dl) 33.6±1.33, Platelet (μl) 112,800±46,168.29, WBC (103/μl) 6595±1,594.80, lymphocytes (μl) 3,544±1238.60, heterophils (μl) 2,670±999.3, monocytes (μl) 2.0±1.0, eosinophils (μl) 136 ± 8.0 and the basophils (μl) 111 ± 87. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in all the haematological parameters except for eosinophils and basophils which were significantly increased in the naturally infected crocodiles. Haemoproteus, Plasmodium and Hepatozoon species were morphologically identified in this study. There was no significant clinical alteration in haematological profiles obtained with haemoparasiteamia in this study. The findings from this study could serve as baseline values for clinical diagnostic investigation in our environment