Parasitological study and changes in level of some serum enzymes in Kano brown goats experimentally infected with <i>Trypanosoma evansi</i>

Abstract

Trypanosomosis is a vector borne protozoan disease that is caused by varied members of the genus, Trypanosoma which affect different species of domestic and wild animals including humans. The disease processprovokes alterations in serum enzymes activities in the affected host. This study aimed at investigating the parasitological effects and changes in levels of some serum enzymes activities in Kano brown goats following experimental infection with T. evansi originally isolated from naturally infected camels at Maigatari. Infection was through the jugular veins of the experimental subjects (3 infected and2uninfected controls) at dose rate of 2.0 x 10⁶/ ml. The period of study spanned 145 days. Sequel to the infection, infected goats developed clinical trypanosomosis and parasites were detected in the peripheral blood of all infected animals at varied prepatent period between 3 and 7 days post infection (DPI). First peak of mean parasitaemia wave was at 9 DPI and second at 14 DPI and death was recorded on the 70 and 133 DPI respectively among the infected group. After 84 DPI, no parasite could be detected and control subjects remained aparasitaemic throughout the experimental period. For serum enzymes, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), there was significant (P < 0.05) elevation in the infected subjects. The study showedT. evansi isolate caused infection caused changes in the activities of serum enzymes under study.

Key words: Experimental infection, Kano brown goats, serum enzymes, Trypanosomosis,
Trypanosoma evansi.