Clinical manifestation and parasitological study of bovine trypanosomosis naturally occurring in a North Central State Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Trypanosomosis is a disease caused by trypanosomes, a group of unicellular parasites found in the fluid and tissues of vertebrates. The disease is characterized by anorexia, anaemia, emaciation, weakness and eventual death. Method: A prospective study design was conducted to assess clinical manifestations and parasitaemia in cattle with trypanosomosis under natural infection in Niger state, Nigeria between the months of January to May 2017. A sample size of 343 cattle was purposively selected out of which 262 were diagnosed of clinical trypanosomosis. The clinical signs and parasitaemia associated with Trypanosomosis were monitored in these animals. Result: Of the 343 cattle sampled cattle 45 (13%) were positive for trypanosome infection. Trypanosoma vivax (5.5%), T. congolense (5.5%), and T. brucei (2.0%) were the three trypanosomes identified in the infected animals. The most frequently observed clinical signs were weight loss, weakness, intermit-tent anorexia, pale mucous membrane, epiphora, and dark/rough hair coat. The mean body weights (257.94±74.13kg) and the mean PCV (23.27±6.82%) of the infected animals were significantly lower than that of the control (386.96±62.69kg and 32.47±8.35%) respectively. Similarly, the mean rectal temperature of the infected animals (39.82±1.79ºC) differed significantly (P<0.05) from that of the control. Significance: Clinical manifestations of trypanosomosis when taken into consideration with ecological considerations might provide sufficient grounds for a putative diagnosis of the disease by clinicians.