Pathobiochemical mechanisms involved in the control of the disease caused by Trypanosoma congolense in African grey duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia).

The course of Trypanosoma congolense infections in African grey duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia) and sheep and goats were studied. Several parameters suggested that the grey duiker was much more resistant to trypanosomosis than sheep and goats. They showed increases in weight during infection, had a much longer pre-patent period, and their peak parasitaemia levels were about 100-fold lower than those of sheep and goats. Parasites were no longer detected in grey duiker blood 35 days after infection. Anaemia, measured as drops in packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and erythrocyte (RBC) counts were not observed in the grey duiker. In contrast, sheep and goats suffered severe weight losses and had continuously high parasitaemia levels. Sheep and goats developed progressively severe normocytic normochromic anaemia and leucopenia from day 14 post-infection onwards. Serum levels of total protein, globulin and albumin of grey duiker did not change significantly throughout the course of infection, while the levels of total serum protein, globulin and gamma-globulin exhibited significant increases from day 21 post-infection onwards in sheep and goats, with peak values recorded on 28 and 35 days post-infection in sheep and goats, respectively. There were inconsistent variations in albumin levels in sheep and goats throughout the course of infection. There were no significant changes in erythrocyte activities of AST and ALT, while there were transient but significant elevations of ALP level on day 35, and GGT levels between 14 and 35 days post-infection in grey duiker. Conversely, the levels of all the enzymes were progressively depressed, especially from 14 to 49 days post-infection. In vitro erythrocyte peroxidation remained relatively unchanged throughout the period of the experiment in the grey duiker, except for slight but significant increase on day 42 post-infection. However, in vitro erythrocyte peroxidation increased significantly by between 100 and 300% of pre-infection levels from 14th to 42nd day p.i. both in sheep and goats, before returning to pre-infection levels after 14 days of treatment. Haematological values, serum and erythrocyte indices studied returned to near pre-infection levels 14 days after treatment with Berenil((R)). It is concluded that the grey duiker is inherently trypanotolerant. This is shown by its ability to control parasitaemia, suffer less severe anaemia, and to a relative degree resist pathobiochemical derangements of some serum and erythrocyte metabolites and enzymes, as well as reduction of infection-induced erythrocyte lipid peroxidase damage than sheep and goats.

Serological survey of salmonellosis in grey duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia) in Asejire, Irewole Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria.

A serological survey of salmonellosis in grey duiker was carried out in Asejire, Irewole Local Government Area (LGA), Osun State, between August and September, 1996. The sera of 50 animals were screened for antibodies to salmonella flagella (H) and/or somatic (O) antigens. Ten "bushmeat" hawkers/processors were interviewed on their state of health. Twenty-two (44%) and 3 (6%) had antibodies to the H and O antigens, respectively. Nine (18%) had antibodies to both the H and O antigens. Antibody titres of 1/320 were detected against Salmonella paratyphi serotypes B (12%) and C (2%) and S. typhi serotype D (8%). Four (40%) of the interviewed hawkers/processors had had 'fever' in the recent past, and 80% of them usually take traditional herbal medicines for most fever-related ailments. A human typhoid epidemiological surveillance carried out within the LGA between 15th March and 4th April, 1995 revealed 64 cases of tentatively diagnosed salmonellosis. Eleven (17.2%) cases were conclusively diagnosed as typhoid fever by laboratory examination. High antibody titres against H and O antigens of S. paratyphi serotype B and S. typhi serotype were detected. Two (3.1%) of the patients died. The public health importance of these findings is discussed.

Weights and blood profiles of the west African hinge-backed tortoise, Kinixys erosa and the desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii.

The body weight and blood profile were determined in the adult wild West African hinge-backed tortoise, Kinixys erosa and the adult wild desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii kept under identical environmental conditions. A comparison between sexes showed the male K. erosa had significantly higher packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration and lower body weight and plasma alkaline phosphatase values than the female, while no significant sex differences appeared in these parameters in G. agassizii. The haematological parameters and plasma levels of electrolytes, enzymes, proteins and metabolites did not differ significantly between the two species, suggesting that the blood values of K. erosa resembled those of G. agassizii under identical environmental conditions.

Serum biochemical changes in West African Dwarf sheep experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei.

Serum and plasma biochemical values were determined in female West African Dwarf sheep experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei. The results show an increase in the values of serum iron, chloride, bicarbonate, inorganic phosphate, creatinine, urea, total protein, globulin and plasma fibrinogen. The serum albumin, albumin/globulin ratio, potassium, copper and magnesium values are depressed. These findings suggest detective re-utilization of iron in erythropoiesis and probable paratathyroid gland, hepatic and/or renal malfunction.

Haematological changes in ewes experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei.

Changes in the haematological values were studied in West African Dwarf ewes infected with Trypanosoma brucei. This disease was characterized by a normocytic normochromic anaemia in the acute phase and a severe macrocytosis during the chronicity. The observed changes suggest inadequate erythropoiesis in the acute phase while the chronic phase had a superior but still inadequate erythropoietic response with persistent anaemia. Normal total leucocyte values were observed during the acute phase while leucocytosis was a permanent feature in the chronic phase.