Hematocrit alterations and its effects in naturally infected indigenous cattle breeds due to Trypanosoma spp. on the Adamawa Plateau - Cameroon

AIM: An experimental study was carried out on 148 naturally infected indigenous cattle breeds with either single or mix infections of various species of trypanosomes. The objectives of this study were to determine the species of trypanosomes, observe their hematopathological consequences on host-related risk factors and to determine the packed cell volume (PCV) of the infected group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The buffy coat method (BCM) which is a variant of the hematocrit centrifugation method was used for the parasitological and hematological analysis. The May Grünwald-Giemsa method was also used for the identification of different trypanosome species. RESULTS: The infection rate in accordance with the various trypanosomes was as follows: Trypanosoma congolense + Trypanosoma brucei (1.35%), Trypanosoma vivax + T. brucei (1.35%), T. congolense + T. vivax (8.11%), T. congolense + T. vivax + T. brucei (8.78%), T. brucei brucei (11.48%), T. vivax (20.94%), T. congolense (47.97%). The infection rate with respect to breeds showed the following results - Brahman (1.0%), Red Fulani (5.2%), White Fulani (6.5%) and Gudali (16.7%), with no statistical significant difference (p>0.05). The combined mean PCV of single as well as mix infections was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The mean PCV of males (25.64±5.08 standard deviation [SD]) which was lower than that of females (30.82±4.94 SD) was statistically significant (p<0.05). The body condition of infected animals with sex showed that a greater proportion of males with “Poor” and “Medium” conditions showed high prevalence than females with the same conditions, with a significant difference (p<0.05). However, females showed a “Good” condition than males even though it was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The PCV profile of the infected group showed that the highest proportion of infected animals had PCV of ≤31% than PCV >31%. The mean weight of the animals was (265.41±95.36 SD). A scatter-linear plot of infected buffy coat against mean PCV showed a negative parametric correlation. CONCLUSION: Distinguished Trypanosoma spp. pathogenicity, emaciation and weight loss related anemia, poor body condition, sex and the response of different breeds to various trypanosomes were highly affected and are of vital importance in diagnosis and act as a contribution to future control and treatment plans in this area.