The effect of Trypanosoma evansi infection on the oestrous cycle of Friesian Holstein heifers.

The effect of Trypanosoma evansi infection on oestrous cycling was studied in 12 Friesian Holstein heifers. In the Phase 1 of the investigation, six heifers were infected with T. evansi, the remaining six acted as uninfected controls. Daily body temperature, packed red cell volume (PCV) and parasitaemia measurements were obtained from each animal for 90 days. The animals were examined for external signs of oestrous activity twice daily, blood samples were taken three times a week and subjected to an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect plasma progesterone. Body weights were measured weekly. Parasites were eliminated by trypanocidal drug treatment 90 days after infection. In Phase 2 of the trial, the uninfected heifers were injected with a different stock of parasites and monitoring was continued as before. Infection with T. evansi resulted in a marked reduction in the rate of weight gain, an increase in body temperatures and a fall in PCV values. Eleven of the heifers continued to cycle normally for the duration of the study, irrespective of their infective status. One animal which stopped cycling lost 16.2% of its pre-infection body weight as a result of the infection and cessation of oestrous activity was considered to have been due to weight loss.

Trypanosoma evansi infection in bovine and buffalo calves in Indonesia.

Fifteen bovine and 11 buffalo calves born on different farms in a Trypanosoma evansi-endemic area of West Java were monitored for the presence of T. evansi and T. evansi antibody at monthly intervals until they were 12 months of age. Fifty percent of the bovine and 83% of the buffalo calves sampled in the first month of life were antibody positive. This antibody was considered to be of colostral origin. Antibody developing later in life persisted for up to 12 months and was considered to have arisen in response to T. evansi infection. No protective function could be ascribed to the colostral antibody.

Trypanosoma evansi infection in cattle, buffaloes and horses in Indonesia.

Cattle, buffaloes and horses in several areas of Indonesia were examined for evidence of infection with Trypanosoma evansi by the microhaematocrit centrifugation technique (MHCT) and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of antibodies to T. evansi. Evidence of infection was found in animals at each sampling site although differences were seen in prevalence rates between sites. Prevalence rates in buffalo were usually higher than in cattle in the same area while in horses they were much lower than in cattle or buffalo. An age-dependent prevalence rate was seen in buffalo and cattle with the highest rates seen in animals older than 2 years. These results concur with the view that T. evansi infection is widespread throughout most of the livestock-producing areas of Indonesia. The apparent lack of any obvious disease owing to T. evansi infection in the sampled animals suggests that a form of stability exists in most endemic areas which serves to ameliorate the effect of T. evansi infection and has an immunological basis linked to the parasite's limited antigenic diversity.

Experimental infection of Friesian Holstein calves with an Indonesian isolate of Trypanosoma evansi.

The effect of a single, primary, artificial infection with Trypanosoma evansi was studied in nine Friesian Holstein calves. Body temperature, packed cell volume (PCV) and parasitaemia measurements were obtained daily from each of the infected calves for up to 90 days after parasites were injected, body weights were monitored weekly. T. evansi infection had a marked depressive effect on PCV profiles and the rate of body weight gain.

An outbreak of trypanosomiasis caused by Trypanosoma evansi on the island of Madura, Indonesia.

During an outbreak of trypanosomiasis in cattle, buffalo and horses on the island of Madura, a survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi in the region. Blood samples were collected from 130 cattle and 147 buffalo in 5 villages, whole blood was examined for trypanosomes by the microhaematocrit (MHCT) method and serum samples were subjected to an enzyme linked immuno absorbent assay to detect T. evansi antibodies. T. evansi was detected by MHCT in 50% of the buffalo examined and 13% of the cattle, while antibodies were detected in 47% of the buffalo and 30% of the cattle. The outbreak was brought under control following the administration of Nagano (Suramin, Bayer) to infected animals and animals considered to be at risk of infection.

Efficacy of Cymelarsan in Friesian Holstein calves infected with Trypanosoma evansi.

Two studies on the efficacy of mel Cy (Cymelarsan, Rhone Merieux, France) for the treatment of cattle infected with Trypanosoma evansi were carried out with groups of 5 Friesian Holstein calves infected with an Indonesian stock of T. evansi and treated 14 days after infection. In the first study 3 groups were injected subcutaneously with Cymelarsan at dose rates of 0.125, 0.25 and 0.50 mg/kg and in the second study 2 i/m at 0.50 and 0.75 mg/kg. The response to treatment was monitored parasitologically by daily microhaematocrit centrifugation technique and weekly mouse inoculation. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays were used to monitor trypanosomal antibodies and trypanosomal antigens in serum samples collected weekly. Relapse infections occurred in all the groups given the drug s/c whilst all the animals treated i/m remained parasitologically negative up to 80 days after treatment. Results from serological assays, however, suggested the possible persistence of trypanosome infection in the animals treated at a dose rate of 0.50 mg/kg i/m although trypanosomes could not be demonstrated parasitologically. A dose rate of 0.75 mg/kg administered i/m is recommended, therefore, for the treatment of T. evansi infection in Friesian Holstein cattle.