No abstract

Key words:Body weight, Hematology, Landrace pigs, Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma congolense A study was conducted to examine and compare the hematological changes associated with single or mixed infection of Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma congolense in Landrace pigs. 20 gilts between 3-5 months and with an average weight of 18.26kg were divided into 4 groups (Group 1 -Trypanosoma brucei infected; Group 2 -Trypanosoma congolense infected; Group 3 -mixed Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma congolense infected; Group 4 -Uninfected control). Onset of parasitaemia was 8, 9 and 12 days post infection (pi) for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. During the course of infection, there was a statistically significant (P < 0.05) increase in body temperature between group 2 and 3 and group 4, and decrease in body weight between the infected groups and control. Significant decrease (P<0.05) were also observed in the mean values of Packed cell volume (PCV), Haemoglobin (Hb), Red blood cell (RBC) and White blood cell (WBC) counts in infected group while there was no aggravating effect in mixed infection in pigs. The decreased concentration in haematology was statistically significantly different (P < 0.05) between the infected and uninfected groups; and in the infected group, was more severe in group 2. Severity of clinical signs was more in single than mixed infections. It was concluded that the infection caused by Trypanosoma congolense is more severe than Trypanosoma brucei, and that there is no synergistic debilitating effect in mixed infection in pigs.