DETECTION OF T. VIVAX AND T. CONGOLENSE IN CATTLE FROM SELECTED ABATTOIRS IN KADUNA METROPOLIS, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

African trypanosomiasis is disease caused by protozoan parasite in sub-Saharan Africa that affects human and animals. In animals it causes serious economic loss in livestock as a result of anaemia, loss of appetite and emaciation and when not treated death occurs. This study therefore, was aimed at detecting T. vivax and T. congolense in cattle from selected abattoirs in Kaduna State using the conventional wet mount technique and PCR. A total of 300 blood samples were obtained from the study area with 100 samples from each of three abattoirs. Out of the 300 samples, 64 were positive at a prevalence of 21.3% using wet mount, while for individual abattoir, the lowest prevalence was observed in Makera at 5.0% for 15 cows, Kawo at 5.7% for 17 cows; while Tudun-wada recorded the highest prevalence of 10.7% for 32 cows, respectively. T. congolense recorded a higher prevalence when compared to T. vivax with 17% for the former and 4.3% for the latter. Seventeen positive blood samples were randomly selected and subjected to PCR to confirm the presence of the parasites using specific primers. In addition to confirming the presence of both parasites with the PCR, false positive result were detected in the gel picture after electrophoresis compared to the earlier result of the microscopy. In conclusion, microscopy and PCR should be used complimentarily for the confirmatory diagnosis of trypanosomal infection in cattle in order to carry out effective prophylactic and therapeutic control measures and curb the menace of this neglected tropical disease.