Haemoassessment of Dogs Experimentally Infected with Single and Conjunct Trypanosoma congolense and Ancylostoma caninum and Treatment with Diminazene Aceturate and Mebendazole.

The haemoassessment of dogs with single Trypanosoma congolense (T. congolense) and conjunct T. congolense /A. caninum was determined in this study. Twelve mongrels of both sexes weighing between 4 to 8 kg were grouped into 3 of 4 members each. The group i (GPI) was the uninfected (control), group ii (GPII) was infected with T. congolense and group iii (GPIII) was conjunct infection of T. congolense/A. caninum. Post acclimatization GPIII was infected with 200 infective L3 of A. caninum, 2 weeks later both GPII and GPIII were given 2.5x106 trypanosomes intraperitoneally. Three weeks post trypanosome infection, treatment was done with 100 mg of mebendazole twice daily for 3 days and 7 mg/kg of diminazene aceturate. Result showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in PCV, Hb and Rbc of both GPII and GPIII. The decrease in GPIII was more compared to that in GPII. There was significant decrease (p<0.05) in neutrophil, monocyte, lymphocyte and eosinophil counts of both GPII and GPIII except in basophil count which showed no significant difference (p<0.05) from GPI (control) throughout the experiment. Treatment with both diminazene aceturate and mebendazole cause significant haematological improvement.

Blood Profil of Dogs Experimentally Infected with Single Trypanosoma brucei, Ancylostoma caninum and Conjunct Trypanosoma brucei and Ancylostoma caninum and Treatment with Diminazene Aceturate and Mebendazole.

The present study was designed to ascertain the level of haematological alterations in single Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei), Ancylostoma caninum (A. caninum) and conjunct infections of both parasites in dogs and effect of treatment with diminazene aceturate and mebendazole on haematology. Sixteen dogs grouped into 4 of 4 members each were used in the study. Group 1 (GPI) was uninfected (control), GPII was infected with A. caninum, GPIII was infected with T. brucei and GPIV was infected with conjunct infections of T. brucei / A. caninum. Post acclimatization, GPII and GPIV were infected with A. caninum, 2 weeks after GPIII and GPIV were infected with T. brucei. By week 6 post infection, GPII and GPIV were treated with 100 mg of mebendazole given twice daily for 3 days and a repeat given 2 weeks later. GPIII and GPIV were also treated with diminazene aceturate at 7 mg/kg once. Treatment was repeated at week 8 and 9 of the experiment. There was a significant (p < 0.05) decreases in pack cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), red blood cell count (RBC) in all the experimental groups (GPII, GPIII and GPIV). The decreases were more in the conjunct group (GPIV) compared to the others. A significant (p < 0.05) decrease in white blood cell (WBC) count was recorded in all the experimental groups (GPII, GPIII and GPIV). It was reflected in significant (p <0.05) decreases in lymphocytes, neutrophil, monocyte, basophil counts in T. brucei infected group. Conversely there were significant (p <0.05) increases in neutrophil, eosinophil, monocyte and basophil count but a decrease in lymphocyte count in A. caninum group. The haematological alterations were more in T. brucie group compared to the A. caninum group. Similarly the effect was more in the conjunct T. brucei /A. caninum group compared to the single T. brucei. Treatment with 7 mg/kg diminazene aceturate and 100 mg mebendazole given once daily for 3 days caused some improvement in haematology. These findings would enhance clinicians’ knowledge of the effect of single and mixed infections of T. brucei and A. caninum in dogs.

Symptoms and Response to Treatment with Diminazene Aceturate and Mebendazole in Dogs Infected with Single Trypanosoma congolense, Ancylostoma caninum and Combination of Trypanosoma congolense and Ancylostoma caninum.

The economic losses associated with diseases caused by Trypanosoma congolense and the devastating effect of Ancylostoma caninum (A. caninum) in dogs’ necessitated the present study. Sixteen dogs grouped into 4 of 4 members each were used in the study. GROUP I was uninfected dogs (control), GROUP II was infected with Trypanosoma congolense (T. congolense) infection, GROUP III was mixed infections of Trypanosoma congolense and Ancylostoma caninum (T. congolense /A. caninum) and GPIV was infected with Ancylostoma caninum. At first Ancylostoma caninum infection was done on GPIII and GPIV. Two weeks later T. congolense infections was done on GPII and superimposed on GPIII. Three weeks post trypanosome infection; GPII and GPIII were treated with diminazene aceturate. Mebendazole was used on GPIII and GPIV and treatment repeated 2 weeks later. The prepatent period of T. congolense infection was 14.00±1.40 days in single infection and 9.00±1.10 days in conjunct infection of T. congolense and A. caninum. Persistent parasitaemia resulted in repeated treatment with diminazene aceturate at 7 mg/kg and mebendazole at 100mg twice daily for 3 days. The predominant signs revealed include; lethargy, vomition, enlargement of popliteal lymphnodes, pyrexia, oedema of fore and hind limbs and ocular discharges, anaemia, and slight emaciation. The symptoms were more severe in GPIII compared to GPII and GPIV. The egg per gram of faeces (EPG) in (GPIV) was significantly higher than the conjunct infection (GPIII). Treatment only slightly improved clinical manifestations. In conclusion, conjunct infections of T. congolense / A. caninum would result to more severe disease condition than in single infection of either disease in dogs. The severity of symptoms of the diseases were more in conjunct T. congolense / A. caninum as evidenced by high mortality compared with the single infections. Therefore symptoms of the diseases could serve as a surrogate diagnostic tool in diagnosis and vigorous treatment of infected dogs.

Clinical Effects of Mixed Infection of Trypanosomes and Ancylostoma caninum in Dogs and Treatment with Diminazene and Mebendazole (Nigeria).

The socio-economic importance of trypanosomosis and ancylostomosis in both humans and animal necessitated the investigation of the clinical signs of single and conjunct infection of both parasites in dogs. Sixteen dogs grouped into 4 of 4 members each were used in the study. GROUP I was uninfected dogs (control), GROUP II was infected with Ancylostoma caninum GROUP III was infected with Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei), GROUP IV was mixed infections of Trypanosoma brucei and Ancylostoma caninum (T. brucei/A. caninum). Post acclimatization, Ancylostoma caninum infection was done on GPII and GPIV. Two weeks later Trypanosoma brucei infections was done on GPIII and superimposed on GPIV. Three weeks post trypanosome infection; GPIII and GPIV were treated with 7 mg/kg diminazene aceturate (Veribin®, CEVA Sante Animale- La Ballasteiére 33501 Libourne Cedex, France) x intramuscularly x once. Mebendazole (Vermin®, Janssen-Cilag Ltd 50 - 100 Holmers Farm Way, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP12 4EG UK) at 100 mg x per os twice daily for 3 days was used only on GPII and GPIV and a repeat treatment given 2 weeks later. Prepatent period of T. brucei infection was 5.00±1.30 days in single infection and 3.00±1.40 days in conjunct infection of T. brucei and A. caninum. Persistent parasitaemia resulted in repeated treatment with diminazene aceturate at 7 mg/kg and mebendazole at 100 mg twice daily for 3 days. The predominant signs revealed include; fluctuation in weight, lethargy, vomition, enlargement of popliteal lymphnodes, pyrexia, oedema of lower jaw and ocular discharges, enlarged abdomen, anaemia, cornea opacity and slight emaciation. The clinical signs were most severe in GPIV compared to GPIII. The egg per gram of faeces (EPG) in GPII was significantly higher than the mixed infection (GPIV). Treatment only slightly improved clinical manifestations. In conclusion, most signs shown were consistent with trypanosomosis in dogs except abdominal enlargement which is a complication of A. caninum. Clinical signs therefore could serve as a diagnostic tool in the treatment of both conditions in dogs.

An Assessment of Immune Response to Canine Distemper Vaccination in Dogs Experimentally Infected with Ancylostoma and Trypanosome Parasites.

The immunological alteration in vaccinated dogs with single hookworm, Ancylostoma caninum (A. c) and conjunct infection with Trypanosoma congolense (T. c) and Trypanosoma brucei (T. b) was determined. Sixteen dogs grouped into 4 of 4 members each were used. Group 1 was the uninfected control, GPII was infected with A. c, GPIII was infected with A. c /T. c, and GPIV was infected with T. b/A. c. The dogs were first inoculated with canine distemper (CD) vaccine before infection with A. c 4 weeks post vaccination. Two weeks later, both GPIII and GPIV were superposed with trypanosome infection. Prepatent period of A. c was 14 to 16 days in single A. c group and 13 to 14 days in conjunct trypanosome/A. c. The prepatent period of conjunct T. c/A. c was 9.00±1.10 days and 3.00±1.40 days, in conjunct T.bb/A. c. The protective antibody against CDV was considered using haemagglutination inhibition test (HIT) titer >100 as a cut off for seroconversion. At one week post vaccinations, the antibody titer against canine distemper (CDV) and anti-rabies in all the vaccinated groups (GPI, GPII, GPIII, and GPIV) significantly increased (p<0.05) and peaked at 3 weeks post vaccination. Subsequently, there was gradual significant decrease (p<0.05) in all the infected groups (GPII, GPIII and GPIV). The decrease in the conjunct groups (GPIII and GPIV) was higher compared to the single infections (GPII). Treatment with diminazene aceturate and mebendazole in all the groups did not significantly (p<0.05) improve antibody response in the dogs. A secondary vaccination administered at 12 weeks post- primary vaccination significantly increased (p<0.05) the antibody titer with a peak 3 weeks post- secondary vaccination. In conclusion, both trypanosomes and A. c induced primary immune suppression in antibody response to vaccination which improved on secondary vaccination in the infected dogs.