Effect of experimental single Ancylostoma caninum and mixed infections of Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma congolense on the humoural immune response to anti-rabies vaccination in dogs

Objective:To determine the effect of Ancylostoma caninum(A.caninum)and trypanosome parasites on the immune response to vaccination in dogs in endemic environments.Methods:Sixteen dogs for the experiment were grouped into 4 of 4 members each.Group I was the uninfected control one,and GPII was infected with A.caninum;GPIII was infected with A.caninum/Trypanosoma congolense(T.congolense),and GPIV was infected with Trypanosoma brucei(T.brucei)/A.caninum.The dogs were first vaccinated with antirabies vaccine before infecting GPII,GPIII and GPIV with A.caninum which were done 4 weeks after vaccination.By 2-week post-vaccination,trypanosome parasites were superimposed on both GPIII and GPIV.A secondary vaccination was given to GPI,GPII,GPIII,and GPIV by Week 12 of the experiment(4 weeks post treatment).Results:The prepatent period was(3.00±1.40)days,in the conjunct infection of T.brucei/A.caninum.It was(9.00±1.10)days,in conjunct T.congolense/A.caninum.The prepatent period of A.caninum was(14.0±2.0)days in the single A.caninum group and(13.0±1.0)days in the conjunct trypanosome/A.caninum.At the 1st week after vaccination,the antibody titer in all the vaccinated groups(GPI,GPII,GPIII,and GPIV)significantly increased(P<0.05)and peaked at the 3rd week after vaccination.Following infections,there were marked significant decreases(P<0.05)in the antibody production against rabies in GPII,GPIII and GPIV.The significant decrease(P<0.05)in antibody titer was highest in the conjunct groups(GPIII and GPIV)compared to the single infection(GPII).Treatment with diminazene aceturate and mebendazole did not significantly improve antibody response in the dogs.A secondary vaccination administered at the 12th week after the primary vaccination significantly increased(P<0.05)the antibody titer with a peak at the 3rd week after the secondary vaccination.Conclusions:It was therefore concluded that A.caninum,T.brucei and T.congolense induced immunosuppression in antirabies vaccination in dogs.

Dystocia due to schistosomus reflexus(cojoined twins)in a Yankassa ewe

A two years'old,white and brown Yankassa ewe,weighing 20 kg was presented with dystocia of about 48 h duration at Mabs Veterinary Centre Ltd,Lagos.On thorough physical and vaginal examination,there were evidences of feotal parts and foul smelling discharges per vagina.A systematic and calculated traction and retropulsion revealed schistosomus reflexus cojoined twins.There was a complete recovery of the ewe 3 days post operative management.Finally,this case reported a true schistosomus reflexus cojoined twins in Yankassa ewe which was successfully relieved through traction and retropulsion despite the supposedly small birth canal which precluded the procedure in ewes except for caesarian section or fetotomy.

Classical clinical signs in rats experimemtally infected with Trypanosoma brucei

Objective:To investigate clinical signs in Trypanosoma brucei infection in albino rats.Methods:Fourteen rats grouped into 2 with 7 rats in each group were used to determine classical clinical manifestation of Trypanosoma brucei infection in rats.Group A rats were uninfected control and Group B rats were infected with Trypanosoma brucei.Results:Parasitaemia was recorded in Group B by(3.86±0.34)d and the peak of parasitaemia was observed at Day 5 post infection.Classical signs observed included squint eyes,raised whiskers,lethargy,no weight loss,pyrexia,isolation from the other rats,and starry hair coat.Conclusions:These signs could be diagnostic or aid in diagnosis of Trypanosoma brucei infection in rats.

Changes in blood sugar levels of rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei and treated with imidocarb dipropionate and diminazene aceturate

Objective:To determine the effect of Trypanosoma brucei(T.brucei)on blood sugar level of infected rats.Methods:The experiment was done with 42 albino rats grouped into 3 groups of 14 members each.Group A was uninfected(control group),Group B was infected with T.brucei and treated with diminazene aceturate,and Group C was infected with T.brucei and treated with imidocarb dipropionate.Blood samples were collected from the media canthus of the experimental rats on Days 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 for the assessment of change in blood sugar levels.The blood sugar levels were determined with a glucometer(Accu-chek active serial No.GN:10023338).Results:By 4 to 5 days post infection,there was a significant increase(P<0.05)in the blood sugar of Group B and Group C.By Day 6 post infection(Day 2 post treatment),no significant difference(P>0.05)was observed in the groups when compared with the control group till Day 12 of the experiment.Conclusions:T.brucei caused a significant increase in blood sugar of infected rats.