Prevalence of trypanosomes in large and small ruminants in Abia state and Rivers States Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence of trypanosomes in ruminants in Abia and Rivers states, Nigeria by evaluating the trypanosomes parasitaemic profiles of the cattle, sheep and goats studied. Fifty adult cattle (N’dama, Muturu, Red Bororo and White Fulani breeds), twenty five adult sheep (WAD and Yankasa) and twenty five adult goats (WAD and Sokoto red) of both sexes were sampled in each of the two states. Wet mount films and micro-haematocrit Buffy coat methods of trypanosome diagnosis were used. The study was conducted between the months of July and October, 2018. A total of 100 cattle, 50 sheep and 50 goats were sampled in the two states (Abia and Rivers), Use of wet mount and buffy coat screening method gave zero prevalence of trypanosome in both Rivers state and Abia state during the period. The result of this study could indicate absence of trypanosomes in the two states studied. Therefore additional research using molecular methods of trypanosome diagnosis, which are more sensitive in parasite detection, is recommended.