Presence of Trypanosome species and determination of anaemia in trade cattle at Sokoto Abattoir, Nigeria

A survey for the prevalence of trypanosomes species and the anemic status of trade cattle presented for slaughtering at Sokoto main abattoir, Northwest Nigeria was conducted between January and June, 2008. Blood samples were collected at ante-mortem via jugular vein and examined by Standard Trypanosome Detection Methods (STDM). Anaemic status was determined by Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and FAMACHA® Anaemic Guide technique while Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique was used to detect the presence of Trypanosoma brucei group. Out of 500 samples analyzed by STDM, 9 (1.8%) were positive out of which 6 (66.7%) had Trypanosoma viuax. The PCR technique detected 22 (4.4%) positive cases of Trypanosoma brucei group while 45 (9.0%) cattle were anaemic using the PCV and FAMACHA® techniques, respectively and White Fulani breed had the highest infection rate with 5 (55.6%) cases. These findings are significant as the study area has earlier been declared as tsetse free zone, transhumant activities as practice largely by the cattle herders maybe responsible for these detections. Presence of other mechanical vectors may lead to rapid spread of the infection which may have adverse effects on productivity of the animals with resultant economic losses. The detection of the T. brucei group in the examined trade cattle may also portend danger to public health as some ruminants and pigs have been incriminated as reservoir hosts of the Human African Trypanosomosis (HAT) agents in some parts of Africa. Statewide surveillance is therefore, needed to establish the true prevalence of the infection in all domesticated animals in the study area. © 2011 Academic Journals Inc.