Recorded Marked Changes in the Haematological and Immune Responses of Two Non-Transgenic Rodents Inoculated Orally and Intraperitoneally with <i>Trypanosoma brucei brucei</i>

Objectives: The digestive track of mice and humans has always been an integral part of the pathogenesis of the Trypanosomes but is constantly overlooked. This realization opens up completely new strategies for the development of trypanosomes vaccines, allowing approaches that parenteral delivery forms would not permit. The target of the study was to compare the haematological changes and immunological responses of trypanosomiasis model systems (mice and rats) inoculated orally and intraperitoneally and to observe the afterward effect of a controlled drug [Isometamidium chloride (ISM)] in the restoration of these initial parameters. Methods: To achieve this, a total of 40 rodents (20 rats and 20 mice) were purchased, then grouped into two [sixteen younger (1 - 5 weeks) and older (7 - 15 weeks) groups each]. They were further sub-grouped into five each. Body weights, Parasitaemia and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) were taken before, after inoculation and after treatment with ISM at 4 mg/kg. Results: Based on presumptive clinical diagnosis, all rodents inoculated intraperitoneally showed clinical signs of fluctuations in weight, PCV and parasitaemia levels before, after inoculations and after treatment compared to those inoculated orally with a significant difference (P < 0.05) observed. Both young and older rodents also responded differently to the inoculants and to the different methods of inoculation. But more deaths were recorded among the mice when compared to the rats. Conclusion: Although these non-transgenic models would not have offered a completely new methods to vaccine development, their differences in response to various methods of inoculations is an indication of an exciting research processes and could offer desired results, particularly where transgenic rodents are employed.