EPIDEMIOLOGY OF ANIMAL TRYPANOSOMOSIS IN THE KACHIA GRAZING RESERVE, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
EPIDEMIOLOGY OF ANIMAL TRYPANOSOMOSIS IN THE KACHIA GRAZING RESERVE, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
2006-12
Authors
ENWEZOR, Felicia Nneka Chizoba
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Abstract
This study was designed to determine the tsetse species and trypanosome prevalence in the Kachia Grazing Reserve, identify factors that influence the prevalence as well as characterize trypanosome isolates using molecular methods. Blood samples collected at random from 1,293 cattle, 215 sheep and 130 goats were examined for the presence of trypanosomes using the buffy coat technique and Giemsa thin blood smears. Packed cell volume (PCV) and white blood cell (WBC) and differential leukocyte counts were also determined. Overall parasitological prevalences of trypanosomes were 8.4% in cattle and 17% in sheep and goats. Trypanosome species found were Trypanosoma vivax with 105 (96.3%) of 109 infections followed by T. congolense (1.9%), T. brucei (0.9%) and a mixed infection of T. congolense and T. vivax (0.9%). Mean PCV of parasitaemic cattle dropped more than those of apparasitaemic being 25.99 ±1.82 %and 29.31 ± 1.70 % respectively. In addition, the PCV of affected and unaffected sheep and goats tested significant at 5% level indicating that anaemia was more on affected animals (P<0.05). Total WBC and differential leukocyte counts showed leucopaenia in 105 out of 228 (46.1%) cattle, of which 25 (23.8%) were trypanosome-positive cases and leucocytosis in four tryopanosome-negative cattle. However, 11 of 119 (9.2%) cattle with normal WBC counts were trypanosome-positive cases. Serological prevalence was obtained by inhibition Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (iELISA) on 545 blood samples from cattle using an anti-Bip monoclonal antibody and a complete fusion protein (hsp 70) expressed in Escherichia coli. The test detected antibodies in 359 of 545 (65. 9%) samples. The apparent sensitivity and specificity of the assay were 84.8% and 97.3% respectively. The effects of cattle
movement, herd pen location to watering and grazing points distances were determined by global positioning system (GPS). Cattle movement appeared to influence the prevalence. Returned herds had a higher parasitological prevalence of 16.7%, compared with 11% of resident herds but the results were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Increased prevalence was associated with proximity of herd pens to watering point distances (x2 for linear trend = 4.447, P<0.05) but no association by grazing point distances (x2 =2.186, P > 0. 05). Using ITS1 kin primers, the trypanosome isolates were characterized by polymerase chain reaction and shown to be T. vivax, T. congolense forest and T. b. brucei. Results of tsetse trappings using Biconical and NITR designed tsetse (NITSE) traps revealed the presence of two tsetse species: Glossina morsitans sub morsitans and Glossina tachinoides. Adult tsetse flies (54) were caught comprising 12 G. m. submorsitans and 42 G. tachinoides but only one G. tachinoides was found infected with trypanosome. This study has shown that tsetse flies are still present in the reserve and together with other biting flies contribute to the spread and maintenance of trypanosomosis in the area. The study strongly advocates effective animal health care and prophylaxis against trypanosome and vector control to fight the problem of trypanosomosis and allow permanent raising of livestock in the reserve, thus encouraging sedentarisation.
Description
A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENTS OF THE REQUIRMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN
VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY
PATHOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY,
ZARIA, NIGERIA
Keywords
EPIDEMIOLOGY,, ANIMAL TRYPANOSOMOSIS,, KACHIA GRAZING RESERVE,, KADUNA STATE,, NIGERIA