World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

BOVINE TRYPANOSOMIASIS (NAGANA) IN PORT HARCOURT ABATTOIRS, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Eze N. C.* and Nwankwo B.C

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted between June and October 2014 to determine the current prevalence of bovine trypanosomiasis in four abattoirs in Port Harcourt metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria. Parasitological survey (buffy coat technique, thin film) and hematological study (packed cell volume (PCV) were employed. Of the 200 blood samples examined, 62 cattle were infected giving an overall prevalence of 31%. Three different Trypanosoma species were encountered in the study area, 27 (13.5%) Trypanosome brucei, 18 (9%) T. congolense and 7 (3.5%) Trypanosome vivax, while 10 (5%) had mixed infections. White Fulani 45(35.16%) had the highest prevalence of occurrence while Rumuokoro abattoir recorded the highest prevalence of T. brucei (18%) infection. The common breeds identified were the White Fulani and Sokoto Gudali. The White Fulani had higher infection status 45 (35.16%) than the Gudali 17 (23.60%). Among the risk factors, sex and age were found to have no significant association with the prevalence of trypanosomosis (p>0.05) in the study area. In this study infected White Fulani animals were with mean PCV value of 23.29 ± 3.97% while Sokoto Gudali infected animals had (22.82 ± 3.89%). This study concluded that trypanosomiasis is still of considerable importance in cattle in the study area. However, importance of the infection is enough reason for thorough examination of the ruminant carcasses presented for public consumption to reduce the risk of human infection.

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