Some Biochemical Perturbations May Modify the Understanding of Trypanotolerance in the West African Dwarf Sheep Infected With Trypanosoma brucei brucei and Trypanosoma congolense

Abstract

Trypanosomes are single-celled protozoa that cause severe diseases in both humans and livestock in sub-Saharan African countries. The disease in the West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep is often neglected due to the issue of trypanotolerance. The current study is aimed to evaluate some biochemical changes in this breed that may modify the understanding of trypanotolerance. Fifteen WAD sheep were assigned into 3 groups (A, B, and C). Baseline (day 0) values of the parameters assayed were obtained before groups A and B were infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei and Trypanosoma congolense, respectively, by intraperitoneal inoculation with 106 trypanosomes per animal. Standard procedures using Quimica Clinica Applicada (Spain) and Randox (UK) test kits were used to evaluate serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, total protein, albumin, total cholesterol, urea, and creatinine on days 0, 14, 28, 42, 56, and 70 post infection. The infections caused sustained pyrexia, hypoproteinaemia, hypocholesterolaemia, weight loss, hepatitis, and mortalities although parasitaemia was greatly controlled especially in the T congolense infected rams. The findings suggest that the WAD rams are not just passive reservoirs of trypanosomes for human and animal infections, but experience active host-parasite interactions with huge price for resilience, biochemically.

Effects of Trypanosoma brucei on thyroid hormones in albino rats

“…Data collected was analyzed using graph pad prism (Miceli et al, 2012). The Statistical analyses tool used was the independent sample t-test at a significant value of p < 0.05 (Anyogu et al, 2020). The results were presented in bar charts.…”

Evaluation of biochemical indices in indigenous cattle breeds and crossbred genotypes under natural trypanosome challenge

“…In cattle, it is indicated by improved parasite control, haematopoetic system response to limit anaemia, and biochemical indicators such as sustained body nutrient reserves and normal levels of markers of critical organ functions. Biochemical indices have therefore been used to evaluate disease severity and hence trypanotolerance in species of domestic animals (Awekwe et al, 2017;Anyogu et al, 2020;Getahun et al, 2022). Abwage (2022) observed higher plasma total proteins in trypanotolerant cattle compared to trypanosusceptible cattle, and higher serum globulin in trypanotolerant N'Dama compared to trypanosusceptible Bunaji.…”