Original scientific paper

The relationship between parasitaemia and anaemia in concurrent Trypanosoma brucei and Haemonchus contortus infections in red fronted gazelles (Gazella rufifi frons)

Albert Wulari Mbaya ; Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria
Murtala Mohamed Aliyu ; Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria
Chukwunyere Okwudiri Nwosu ; Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria
Tobias Egbe-Nwiyi ; Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria

Abstract

The relationship between parasitaemia and anaemia was investigated in red fronted gazelles (Gazella rufi frons) experimentally infected either singly with Trypanosoma brucei, Haemonchus contortus, or concurrently with both parasites. The infections were found to be more virulent in the gazelles with dual infection as compared to those with single infections. The pre-patent periods for Trypanosoma brucei and Haemonchus contortus in the dual infection were 2-4 and 6-7 days as against 7-8 and 16-17 days during single infections respectively. There was a significant decline (P<0.05) in packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell counts (RBC) and haemoglobin concentrations (Hb), which were more marked in those with the dual infection. Similarly, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was significantly (P<0.05) elevated in red fronted gazelles (Gazella rufi frons) with the dual infection. From the foregoing we found that an inverse relationship existed between parasitaemia and anaemia in the red fronted gazelles. The effects were however more precipitous in those concurrently infected with both parasites than in those with a single infection of either of the parasites.

Keywords

anaemia; parasitaemia; concurrent infection; trypanosomosis; haemonchosis; red fronted gazelles (Gazella rufi frons)

Hrčak ID:

45605

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/45605

Publication date:

26.10.2009.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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