Blood tumour necrosis factor-α and the pathogenesis of anaemia in Trypanosoma brucei infected rabbits

Trypanosomosis is a protozoan infection of domestic and wild animals characterized by anaemia, however, the pathogenesis of trypanosomosis-induced anaemia is not fully understood. This study evaluated the possible roles of Tumour Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the pathogenesis of anaemia induced by Trypanosoma brucei in rabbits. Twelve adult rabbits of both sexes with mean weight of 2.1 ± 0.1kg were randomly assigned into two groups of six rabbits each. Group A rabbits were intraperitoneally (i.p) infected with blood containing 2 x 106/ml of T. brucei, while group B (control) rabbits were injected with one ml of normal saline i.p. Blood was collected from the ear vein before infection and weekly thereafter for six weeks post-infection (p.i), in order to determine the packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, red blood cell (RBC) count, reticulocyte count (RC) and serum concentrations of TNF-α. The PCV, RBC count and Hb concentration were significantly (p<0.05) lower in group A than group B rabbits throughout the duration of the study. Serum concentration of TNF-α was significantly (p<0.05) higher in group A (227.5 ± 8.1 ng/ml) than group B (51.3 ± 8.2 ng/ml) at week four post-infection. The serum concentration of TNF-α negatively correlated with PCV (r=-0.513) and Hb (r=-0.769) in group A. The study concluded that anaemia observed during experimental infection in rabbits with trypanosomosis was associated with increased levels of TNF-α.Keywords: Anaemia, Rabbits, Pathogenesis, Trypanosomosis, Tumour Necrosis Factor-

Cryptosporidium infection in cattle in Ogun state, Nigeria

The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in cattle faeces in Ogun state, Nigeria was determined by a commercially produced enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Out of a total of 200 samples, 37.5% were positive for Cryptosporidium coproantigens. The highest rate of infection (78.1%) was observed in calves up to 3 months of age while adult cattle over 4 years of age had the lowest rate of infection (25.0%). There were significant differences (p<0.05) between the infection rates of the different age groups of cattle sampled. There was however no significant difference (p>0.05) between the infection rates in males (41.2%) and females (33.6%). Furthermore, the infection rate in diarrhoeic cattle (43.2%) was not significantly higher (p>0.05) than in non-diarrhoeic cattle (32.4%). The result of the study showed that the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis is high in cattle in southwestern part of Nigeria with calves being at the highest risk.Keywords: Cattle, Cryptosporidium, ELISA,Ogun state Nigeria

The effect of anticoagulant type on the survival and infectivity of trypanosoma bruceiin mice

No Abstract

Zoonotic risks and transmission of Mycobacteria species from cows\' milk and slaughtered cattle to man in Ibadan: Role of butchers

No Abstract.Nigerian Veterinary Journal Vol. 29 (1) 2008: pp. 30-3

Clinical Observations on Three Nigerian Zebu Cattle Breeds Following Experimental Trypanosoma Congolense Infection

Three yearling cattle of each of three major Nigerian zebu breeds, viz: White Fulani (WF), Red Bororo (RB) and Sokoto Gudali (SG) were intravenously infected with 1.5 x 106 Trypanosoma congolense and monitored until the PCV declined to ≤ 15%, when they were treated with diminazene aceturate. Two cattle of each breed served as uninfected controls. Parasitaemia, which ranged between 1.0 x 103 and 5.0 x 105 trypanosomes/ml, was significantly (P<0.05) higher in SG and RB than in their WF counterpart. Signs of trypanosomosis became apparent before detection of parasitaemia, 7 to 10 days post infection (pi) firstly in SG, then RB and lastly in WF. The infected animals were dull, lagged behind the herd, had depressed appetite and pale mucous membranes. The live weight gains of infected cattle were significantly (P <0.05) lower than those of non- infected cattle. Live weight loss was least in WF (5.2%), intermediate in RB (6.5%) and highest in SG (10.3%) at 35 days pi. Of the three infected SG, two died at a mean of 28.0+14.1 days pi, while the third was treated 38days pi. Infected RB and WF were treated at a mean of 39.3+2.3 and 54.7+2.3 days pi, respectively. No infected RB or WF died before chemotherapy. It was concluded that of the three cattle breeds studied, the WF was the least susceptible to trypanosomosis, while SG was the most susceptible.Trois bovins âgés d’un an, sélectionnés chacun dans les trois grandes races de zébus nigérians, à savoir Fulani blanc (FB), Bororo rouge (BR) et Sokoto Goudali (SG), ont été infectés par voie intraveineuse avec Trypanosoma congolense à raison de1,5 x 106 et surveillés jusqu’à ce que la valeur d’hématocrite ait diminué à ≤ 15%, et ils ont ensuite été traités avec l’acéturate de diminazène. Deux bovins de chaque race ont été utilisés comme témoins non infectés. La parasitémie, qui variait entre 1,0 x 103 et 5,0 x 105 trypanosomes / ml, était significativement (P <0,05) plus élevée chez les races SG et BR par rapport à la race FB. Les signes de trypanosomose sont devenus évidents avant la détection de la parasitémie, 7 à 10 jours post-infection (pi) d’abord chez les SG, puis chez les BR et enfin chez les FB. Les animaux infectés étaient faibles, trainaient derrière le troupeau, avaient peu d’appétit, et leurs muqueuses étaient pâles. Les gains de poids vifs des bovins infectés étaient significativement (P <0,05) inférieurs à ceux des bovins non-infectés. La perte de poids vif était moindre chez les FB (5,2%), intermédiaire chez les BR (6,5%) et plus élevée chez les SG (10,3%) à 35 jours pi. Des trois SG infectés, deux sont morts à une moyenne de 28.0+14.1 jours pi, tandis que le troisième a été traité 38 jours pi. Les BR et FB infectés ont été traités respectivement à une moyenne de 39,3+ 2,3 et de 54,7+2,3 jours pi. Aucun bovin BR ou FB n’est mort avant la chimiothérapie. Il a été conclu que des trois races bovines étudiées, la race FB était la moins sensible à la trypanosomose tandis que la race SG était la plus vulnérable à la maladie.Mots-clés: Bovins zébus; Sensibilité; Trypanosoma congolense; Signes clinique

Haemo and Ecto-Parasites of Cattle in the Trans-Boundary Areas of Ogun State, Nigeria

No Abstract

Serological Survey of Brucellosis in Food Animals in Ogun State, Nigeria

A serological survey of brucellosis in food animals was conducted in Abeokuta, the largest city in Ogun State, Nigeria between August and November 2009. A total of 275 cattle, 52 sheep, 31 goats and 30 pigs were screened for Brucellosis using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT). The Standard Tube Agglutination Test (STAT) was carried out on sera samples that were positive for brucellosis to quantitatively determine the level of antibody titre. Brucellosis was confirmed in 14.2%, 9.6% and 12.9% of cattle, sheep and goat respectively. All 30 pigs were negative for brucellosis. All sheep and goats were positive at 1:10 dilution, while 10.3%, 38.5% and 51.3% of positive cattle were positive at 1:10, 1:20 and 1:40 dilutions respectively. This result showed that brucellosis is still an important infectious disease of food animals and possibly a major zoonosis in Ogun State, Nigeria.Une étude sérologique de la brucellose chez les animaux destinés à l’alimentation humaine a été menée à Abeokuta, la plus grande ville de l’État d’Ogun au Nigeria, entre août et novembre 2009. Au total, 275 bovins, 52 moutons, 31 chèvres et 30 porcs ont été testés en vue de rechercher la présence de la brucellose en utilisant l’épreuve sur lame au rose bengale (RB). Le test d’agglutination en tube standard (STAT) a été réalisé sur des échantillons de sérums positifs pour la brucellose, afin de déterminer quantitativement le niveau du titre des anticorps. La brucellose a été confirmée respectivement chez 14,2%, 9,6% et 12,9% des bovins, moutons et chèvres. Tous les 30 porcs étaient négatifs pour la brucellose. De cet ensemble d’animaux, tous les moutons et chèvres étaient positifs à la dilution de 1:10, tandis que 10,3%, 38,5% et 51,3% de bovins positifs étaient positifs respectivement aux dilutions de 1:10, 1:20 et 1:40. Ce résultat a montré que la brucellose reste une maladie infectieuse importante des animaux destinés à l’alimentation humaine et éventuellement une zoonose majeure dans l’État d’Ogun au Nigeria.Mots-clés: Epreuve sur lame au rose bengale; Test d’agglutination en tube standard; Brucellose; Nigeri

Complement Levels and Haemate-Biochemical Parameters as Indices of Tryanotolerance in Nigerian Goats Experimentally Infected with Trypanosoma congolense

Complement levels and haemato-biochemical parameters in West African Dwarf (WAD) and Borno White (BW) goats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma congolense were investigated.  Parasitaemia was established in both breeds of goats by day 7 post-infection. Peak parasitaemia of 7.5 x 103/µL for WAD goats was attained by day 14 post-infection while, in the BW goats, parasitaemia of 18 x 103/µL was attained by day 19 post-infection. This was characterized by anaemia, leucopoenia, hypocomplementaemia and depletion of C3 level and increased levels of total serum protein and globulin.  There was a significant (p<0.05) decline in packed cell volume (PCV), total haemolytic complement (CH50) values among BW when compared to WAD goats. The perceived relative trypanotolerance of WAD goats when compared to BW goats can be attributed among other things, to higher levels of C3, CH50 units, total proteins and PCV in WAD goats.Keywords: Trypanosomosis, Trypanotolerance, Complement, Haemato-biochemical parameters, Nigerian goats

Reliability of clinical monitoring for the diagnosis of babesiosis in dogs in Nigeria

Olufunke Omowunmi Adebayo,1 Rasheed Adetola Ajadi,2 Temidayo Olutayo Omobowale,3 Samuel Olatunbosun Omotainse,4 Morenike Atinuke Dipeolu,5 Helen Oyebukola Nottidge,3 Ebenezer Babatunde Otesile2 1Veterinary Teaching Hospital, 2Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, 3Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, 4Department of Veterinary Pathology, 5Department of Veterinary Public Health and Reproduction, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria Abstract: Babesiosis accounts for a high percentage of hospital cases in canines in Africa, with about 40% mortality in the cases presented. In Nigeria, records show an estimated 30% annual morbidity when diagnosis is largely based on clinical and laboratory findings. This study monitored clinical indices associated with canine babesiosis. One hundred and three babesiosis-suspected dogs were selected on the basis of clinical signs of anorexia, fever, presence of ticks, and enlarged lymph nodes or spleen when clinical parameters were recorded at the time of presentation. Parasite detection was done using thin blood smears; that is, the presence of Babesia merozoites was compared between capillary and cephalic blood. Blood was also assayed for hematology and blood chemistry using automated blood analyzers. The babesiosis-infected dogs’ outcome was monitored. Data obtained were analyzed using chi-square test, analysis of variance, and Pearson’s correlation. Results based on thin blood smears showed that 61.1% of the dogs were positive for Babesia species. Breed disposition, sex, and age did not significantly influence the incidence of Babesia canis, while mean rectal temperatures did not differ significantly between the cases (P>0.05). Heart rate and pulse rates of Babesia-positive dogs were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those that were negative. The packed cell volume between the cases was not significantly different, with the values in the positive and negative case obtained being 26.4% ±11.26% and 31.6%±11.9%, respectively, with a range of 6% to 50% and 10% to 47% observed, respectively. Normal leukogram was also observed in 62% of the Babesia-positive cases while 22.2% and 15.8% had leukocytosis and leukopenia, respectively. Most of the positive cases whose results were based on thin blood smear were treated with 5% oxytetracycline for 5 days and fully recovered. Pearson’s correlation was used to give relationship in the observed data. This study concluded that clinical indices are not reliable markers in the diagnosis of canine babesiosis. Keywords: canine babesiosis, Babesia species, dogs, clinical parameters, marker