Probiotic administration enhanced antitrypanosomal effects of diminazene aceturate in dogs experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei

Abstract

Objectives This study demonstrated the enhancing actions of probiotic on the antitrypanosomal effects of diminazene aceturate in dogs experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Methods Twenty (20) apparently healthy adult local dogs of both sexes were randomly divided into five groups each containing four dogs. Group I were uninfected and untreated while groups III, IV and V were infected. Groups II, III, IV and V were administered multispecies probiotic (MSP) and/or diminazene aceturate (DA). Parasitaemia was determined, clinical signs recorded and blood collected for haematology. Results Results revealed T. b. brucei prepatent periods of 4.75 ± 0.25, (4–5) days and significant decrease of parasitaemia, clinical signs and mortality in groups IV and V compared to group III. Mortalities of 100% (group III), 25% (group IV) and 0% (group V) were recorded. Mean packed cells volume, haemoglobin concentration and red blood cells count showed no significant difference in groups I, II, and V, but were significantly decreased in groups III and IV post-treatment. Conclusions The administration of MSP to infected dogs enhanced the antitrypanosomal effects of diminazene aceturate.