Aqueous Extract Of Fruit Pulp Of Adansonia digitata (Linn): Phytochemical Screening And In Vitro Antitrypanosomal Effect

Chemotherapy is the most widely used means of controlling Trypanosomosis, a major health problem to man and his livestock over much of Tropical Africa. However, effectiveness of the drugs available is limited by a number of factors which include increasing parasite resistance, treatment failures and unacceptable toxicity. This study investigated the phytoconstituents of aqueous extract of fruit pulp of Adansonia digitata and its in vitro anti-trypanosomal effects on Federe strain of Trypansoma brucei brucei. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of the extract was carried out using standard technique. While in the in vitro study, about 3 ×105 T. brucei brucei in 0.3mls of blood suspended in 0.4mls Ringer’s solution were each dispensed into tubes (A-D) containing 0.3mls of the aqueous extract at concentrations of 0.02mg/ml, 0.2mg/ml, 2mg/ml and 20mg/ml respectively. The fifth tube (E) was an untreated control (Ringer’s solution and parasite). The tubes were incubated at 370C and examined for the presence and motility of trypanosomes at 15 minutes intervals for 2hours. After the incubation and motility assessment, 0.2ml of the contents of each tube was inoculated intraperitoneally into group of 3 rats, 3 other rats served as uninfected controls. The inoculated animals were then examined daily for the presence of trypanosomes for a period of 60 days. The phytochemical analysis showed the presence of tannins, saponin, phenol, terpenoid, cardiac active glycoside, anthraquinone, reducing sugar, alkaloids, flavonoids and steroids. The extract demonstrated a concentration and time dependent inhibitory effect on trypanosomal motility. Highest effect was observed at concentration of 20mg/ml, with total ceassation of trypanosome motility from 75 minutes of exposure all through the 120 minutes of the incubation. Also rats inoculated with content of the tubes containing the 20mg/ml of the extract did not show parasitaemia and survived the 60 days infectivity test period. However, all rats inoculated with trypanosomes exposed to lower concentrations of the extract showed high parasitaemia with 100% mortality within 5 days post inoculation. Keywords: Adansonia digitata, Trypanosomiasis, Phytochemistry, Trypanosoma brucei brucei

Comparative efficacy of Berenil and Samorin in albino rats experimentally infected with current field isolates of Trypanosoma brucei brucei

The efficacy of two standard veterinary trypanocides, diminazene aceturate (Berenil-therapeutic) and isometamidium chloride (Samorin-prophylactic) was compared in albino rats experimentally infected with current field isolate of Trypanosoma brucei brucei (Federe strain). The study consisted of forty albino rats, divided into 8 groups of five animals each. The negative control was uninfected and untreated (Group 1), whereas the positive control was infected and untreated (Group 2). Other groups were treated intramuscularly with either 0.5 mg/kg or 3.5 mg/kg body weight of Samorin or Berenil respectively adopting different protocols. Groups 3 and 4 were treated the same day of infection with Berenil and Samorin respectively (treatment was before infection). Groups 5 and 6 were treated at patency (4 days post infection) with Berenil and Samorin respectively. Groups 7 and 8 were infected before treatment on the same day with Berenil and Samorin respectively, and re-challenged with the T.brucei brucei after four days. The results obtained 60 days post treatment showed that the difference between the efficacies of the two drugs was significant (P< 0.05). Berenil cleared the parasites more from the blood of the albino rats than Samorin. From the recorded values of the parameters (body weight, temperature, packed cell volume and parasitaemic profile), it was concluded that Berenil is a more efficacious trypanocide than Samorin, and is recommended as the drug of choice in the treatment of animal trypanosomiasis.Keywords: Laboratory, animal, trypanosomiasis, treatment, trypanocides

Survey of Animal Trypanosomosis and Biting Flies in Parts of Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Nigeria

A survey of tsetse and animal trypanosomosis was carried out in five settlements: Lim, Birim, Yuli, Kungibar and Yankari game reserve of Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi state, Nigeria. A total of 448 blood samples were collected between February and March, 2008. Blood samples were examined for trypanosomes using Giemsa stained thick and thin smear method and the Haematocrit Centrifugation Techique (HCT). The results obtained showed that the overall prevalence of trypanosomosis and other haemoparasites in the study area was 51%. Trypanosoma vivax was the most predominant trypanosome species found (39.1%) and is statistically significant in male than in female (p< 0.05). Vector investigation in the study areas showed, that a total of 77 biting flies were caught using Biconical and Nitse traps.Glossina tachinoides was the most abundant vector with a catch of 60(78.8%);Glossina palpalis 10(13.0%); Tabanids 3(4.0%); Stomoxys 3(4.0%) and Chrysop 1(1.0%).The parasites have no significant difference (p>0.05) between different  settlements where samples were collected. The public health importance of this survey is discussed. Keywords: Tsetse, Trypanosomosis, Game reserve, Public health importance

Prevalence of African trypanosomosis in cattle and sheep in Bassa local government area of Plateau State, Nigeria

A cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of trypanosomosis in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State was carried out on 462 animals (361 cattle and 101 sheep) purposively selected. Blood samples were examined for trypanosomes and the packed cell volume was determined. Biconical traps were set to catch biting flies which were later dissected. The body condition scores of the selected animals were also noted. Out of the 462 blood samples examined, 22 (4.8%) tested positive for trypanosomes. Sheep had higher trypanosome prevalence of 6.9% than cattle 4.2%. The most prevalent species encountered was Trypanosoma vivax (86.4%) followed by T. brucei (13.6%). Trypanosoma vivax was also more predominant in cattle 13 (86.7%) than sheep 6 (85.7%). White Fulani and Red Bororo cattle had 4.2% and 0.0% prevalence, respectively while Yankasa sheep, the only sheep breed sampled, had 6.9%. Male cattle and sheep were more infected with the prevalence rates of 5.0% and 7.4%, respectively than their female counterpart (3.6% for cattle and 6.8% for Sheep). Young cattle (< 3yrs) and sheep (≤ 2yrs) had higher trypanosome infection rates of 5.4% and 9.4% than the adult cattle (≥ 3yrs) and sheep (>2yrs) having the prevalence rates of 3.1% and 4.2% respectively. Poor body conditioned animals had higher trypanosome prevalence (7.3%) than the good body conditioned ones (3.8%). Age, sex, breed and body condition score of animals examined did not influence the infection rate of trypanosome species (p>0.05). The mean PCV ± standard deviation of infected animals (21.73 ± 4.81) was significantly lower than non-infected animals (26.89 ± 4.37) p < 0.05.The study revealed an overall relative low fly density of 0.39 flies/trap/day and flies dissected were negative for trypanosome infection. This present study revealed trypanosome and their vectors are present in the study area. Therefore, improved Veterinary extension services and education should be implemented.Keywords: Bassa, Cattle, Sheep, Prevalence, Trypanosomosi