Publication Date: 2023/01/18
Abstract: This study aimed to determine the effects of Diminazene, Levamisole, and Vitamin A on treating trypanosomiasis in West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei. Twenty-four (24) adult WAD sheep of mixed sexes were acclimatized for two months and treated with Albendazole, Ivermectin, Tick and Flea Powder, and long-acting Oxytetracycline. The animals were confirmed negative for trypanosomiasis and brucellosis. They were then infected with Trypanosoma brucei and treated with Diminazene Aceturate, Levamisole, and Vitamin A two weeks after the infection. Parasitemia was established on the 4th day and was evident in all the infected animals six days postinfection. Reduced Total White Blood Cell count of treated animals did not affect clinical signs, clearance of parasites from the bloodstream, or antibody titers to Brucella abortus. In addition, the study also monitored rectal temperature and body weight changes. The data showed that using immunomodulators to treat West African Dwarf sheep infected with Trypanosoma brucei significantly increased the erythrocyte indices (PCV, Hb, and RBCs). Reduced Total White Blood Cell count of treated animals did not affect clinical signs, the clearance of parasites from the bloodstream, or antibody titers to brucella abortus antigen. High titres of Brucella abortus antibody recorded in all vaccinated animals up to the last week of the study indicate that trypanosomiasis did not suppress antibody production in these animals. A mortality rate of 25% was recorded in groups two, three, and five during the second week and 33% in group five during the third week. Death first occurred as early as two weeks post-infection in groups two, three, and five. The study concluded that Diminazene Aceturate, vitamin A, Levamisole, or a combination of Diminazene Aceturate, vitamin A, and Levamisole should be used to treat ovine trypanosomiasis.
Keywords: Diminazane Aceturate; Trypanosomiasis; Immunomodulators; West African Dwarf Sheep; Levamisole;Vitamin A.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7547313
PDF: https://ijirst.demo4.arinfotech.co/assets/upload/files/IJISRT22DEC1574.pdf
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