Effect of T.Congolense on Haematological Parameters in Experimentally Infected Donkeys

ABSTRACT

Haematological changes associated with Trypanosoma congolense on experimentally infected donkeys were investigated. Four donkeys were infected intravenously with 1 x 106 trypanosomes per ml of blood obtained from donor mice and monitored for changes in the blood picture over a period of 28 days. There was a rapid significant (P<0.05) decrease in the Pack Cell Volume (PCV) value of the infected donkeys from initial mean of (27.29±0.73 %) pre-infection to (25.39±0.46 %) post-infection. Also, a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the mean value of the haemoglobin concentration from (9.08±0.24 g/dl) pre infection to (8.43±0.16 g/dl) post infection was observed. No significant difference (P<0.05) were observed in the Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) and Mean Corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). A significant (P<0.05) increase in white blood cell count was observed with mean values ranging from (9.16±0.26 µl) pre infection to (12.33±0.39 µl) post infection. It can be concluded that T.congolense produces significant changes in the haematological parameters in infected donkeys.

Keywords: T.congolense, Pack Cell Volume, donkey, Haemoglobin concentration, Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration, mean corpuscular volume, White Blood Cell.

Published in Journal of Animal Production Research  (2016) 28(1):14-24.