Effect of cysteine protease inhibitor (E64) on haematological changes of New Zealand rabbits experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei

This study was conducted to determine the in-vivo effect of cysteine protease inhibitor (CPI) E64 on the clinico-haematology of New Zealand rabbits experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. A total of forty (40) New Zealand rabbits of both sexes were divided into 8 groups (A – H) of 5 rabbits each. Group A was infected but untreated (infected control), group B was uninfected and untreated (normal control). Group C was infected/treated pre-infection with CPI (E64) at 0.5ml/kg once daily for 5 days, while group D was infected and treated from 14 days post infection with CPI at 0.5ml/kg once daily for 5 days. Group E was uninfected and treated with CPI at 0.5ml/kg once daily for 5 days, while group F was infected and treated with a single standard dose of 3.5mg/kg of diminazene aceturate (Veriben® ) by day 14. Group G was uninfected and treated with a single standard dose of Veriben® at 3.5mg/kg, while group H was infected and treated with of Veriben® at 3.5mg/kg and CPI at 0.5ml/kg once daily for 5 days at the peak of parasitaemia by day 14 postinfection (P.I). The animals were monitored for parasitaemia, haematological parameters such as red blood cell count, packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration. The result showed that the animals became parasitaemic 7 days P.I with mean values of 7.75 ± 0.95, 8.50 ± 0.57, 8.00 ± 0.15, 8.00 ± 0.15 and 8.50 ± 0.57, in Groups A, C, D, F and H, respectively. Clinical signs such as anorexia, pyrexia, alopecia, and emaciation were seen. Haematological changes noticed as parasitaemia progressed include anaemia characterized by a significant decline in mean packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and red blood cell count was noticed in infected groups. Cysteine protease inhibitor (E64) alone was ineffective in ameliorating the deleterious effect of Trypanosoma brucei brucei especially against parasitaemia and haematological parameters. Keywords: Anaemia, Cysteine protease inhibitor, Haematology , Parasitaemia, Trypanosoma brucei bruce

Incidence of parasites of the African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris: Wagner, 1841) and its associated packed cell volume changes

Studies on the incidence of parasites of the African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) and its associated packed cell volume (PCV) changes were conducted in Maiduguri, North-eastern Nigeria. A total of fifteen (15) Hedgehogs comprising of 7 males and 8 females were examined for ecto and endo-parasites and their PCV evaluated for any association with infection. An incidence of 4(26.7%) was obtained for endoparasites mainly of Capillaria ova, with 3(37.5%) for female and 1(14.3%) for male (p<0.05). Ticks were the only ectoparasites obtained with an incidence of 6(40.0%) comprising of male hedgehogs with 2(28.6%) and females with 4(50.0%) (p<0.05). Rhipicephalus species was the only tick identified. The mean ± SD PCV of hedgehogs indicated that of males as 31.36 ± 1.38 and females as 30.88 ± 3.09, however no significant difference (p>0.05) was obtained but both values were lower than the normal reference values.Keywords: Incidence, Ticks, Capillaria, Parasites, Packed Cell Volume, Hedgehog

Parasitic Gastroenteritis (PGE) Complex of Domestic Ruminants in Nigeria: A Review

Parasitic gastro-enteritis (PGE) is a major health problem and thus the main constraint on the profitable production of domestic ruminants in Nigeria. An annual loss of 60 million Naira due to the disease in domestic ruminants has been estimated. Parasitic gastro-enteritis is a complex of diseases involving several nematode species in these genera,  Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Oesophagostomum, Gaigeria, Cooperia and Strongyloides. The disease has been shown to be a rainy season problem in the derived eastern savannah of Nigeria and the Sahel savannah or through out the year on the Jos plateau. Normal Nigerian temperature range of 13.8oC (lower minimum for Obudu) to 40oC (maximum for Maiduguri) are suitable for the development and survival of the eggs of the nematode species to infective larval stages of the parasites. During the dry season, however, when ambient temperature exceeds 40oC in the arid-northeastern Nigeria, some degree of pasture sterilization occur with low parasitic load pertaining in the environment. The complex can either occur in a hyper acute, acute, or chronic form. The clinical signs include diarrhea, weight loss, submandibular oedema (bottle jaw), severe anaemia, dark-colored faeces and death depending on the stage. The anaemia is associated with either, intestinal haemorrhage or haemopoitic disturbances initiated by inapetence or loss of metabolites (due to impaired protein digestion) into the gut. The increased loss of plasma or serum proteins (proteinleaking gastro-enteropathy) occurs and is responsible for the hypoprotinaemia. Iron re-absorption in the gastrointestinal lumen is eventually reduced leading to low serum and bone marrow iron reserves leading to dyserythropoisis. Controls by grazing management, strategic anthelmintic medication have been used under varied conditions.Key words: Parasitic gastroenteritis, domestic ruminants, Nigeri

The effect of Diospyros mespiliformis (Ebenaceae) extracts on the haemato-biochemical parameters of Yankasa Sheep experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus

The study evaluated the anthelmintic efficacy of the crude ethanolic extract of Diospyros mespiliformis (Ebenaceae) among Yankasa Sheep. Twenty-five (25) sheep were randomly selected and placed into five groups (A-E) of five animals each. The extract at dosages of 100 and 200 mg/kg resulted in 34.05 and 55.08% faecal egg reduction respectively. Haematological parameters (PCV, RBC, Hb, WBC, DLC, Platelet count and ESR) were significantly (p<0.005) increased after treatment with the extract in a graded dose manner. The extract significantly (p<0.005) decreased alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALT) activities after treatment, similar to observed changes in total protein and serum albumin. The extract exerted 55.08% anthelmintic activity against adult Haemonchus contortus at the highest dosage tested. This finding supports the folkloric application of this plant as a vermifuge in trado-veterinary medical practices.Keywords: Haemonchus contortus; Diospyros mespiliformis; anti-helminth; ethanolic extrac

A Comparative Study of Single Helminths and Concurrent Helminths and Trypanosome Infections in Red Mbororo Cattle in the Semi- Arid-Zone of Northeastern Nigeria

A comparative study of single helminths and concurrent helminths and trypanosome infections in red Mbororo cattle in the semiarid-zone of northeastern Nigeria were monitored from January to December 2008. Out of the 200 animals examined, 30 (15%) had single infection while 62 (31%) had concurrent infections. The seasonal prevalence showed that infections occurred only during the rainy season with the concurrently infected cattle (

Haemotological indices of Oryctolagus cuniculus (New Zealand Rabbit) experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei treated with Diminazene Diaceturate (Sequzene) in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

This study was conducted to determine the haematological indices of experimentally inoculated O. cuniculus (New Zealand Rabbit) with T. b. brucei at a concentration of 1.5 x 106 then treated with Diminazine diaceturate (Sequzene) for twenty one (21) days. A total of thirty rabbits of both sexes were divided into six groups (A-F) of five (5) animals each. Group A were infected with T. b. brucei only but untreated, while Group B were uninfected, untreated control. Group C was infected with T. b. brucei and treated with Sequzene at 3.5 mg/kg, while Group D was infected and treated with the drug at 7.0 mg/kg body weight. Group E were uninfected with T. b. brucei and treated with Sequzene at 3.5 mg/kg and Group F was uninfected and treated at 7.0 mg/kg of the same drug. Physical symptoms were monitored daily and blood samples taken at seven days intervals then analysed for haematological parameters according to standard laboratory techniques. Physical signs observed include dullness, weakness, anorexia, weight loss, increased respiration, starry hairs and corneal opacity in the infected groups. The major haematological changes observed were anaemia characterized by a significant decline (p<0.05) in mean packed cell volume (PCV). Other changes observed were significant decline in haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts at p<0.05 respectively. Rabbits in group A showed nervous disorder (convulsion) at the point of death. As the disease progressed in all infected groups, neutropenia, lymphopenia and monocytosis increased leading to death. However, the haematological parameters showed signs of restoration in groups treated with Sequzene.Keywords: Haematological; O. cuniculus (New Zealand Rabbit); T. b. brucei anaemia