Prevalence and hematological parameters of bovine Trypanosomosis in Nsukka municipal abattoir, Southeastern Nigeria

The prevalence and hematological parameters of trypanosomosis in slaughter cattle in Nsukka, Southeastern Nigeria, were investigated. Blood samples from 200 randomly selected cattle were collected following slaughter into labeled sample bottles with anticoagulant. The sex and breed of the sampled cattle were properly noted. Standard trypanosome detection techniques involving wet blood film examination, buffy coat technique, examination of Giemsa-stained blood smears, and mice inoculation were used to detect and identify the trypanosome species present. The hematological parameters—packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin concentration (HbC), total erythrocyte count (TEC), total leucocyte count (TLC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)—were determined following standard procedures. A prevalence rate of 1.5% (95% CI = 0.005–0.043) was obtained for bovine trypanosomosis in Nsukka with 1% (95% CI = 0.003–0.036) and 0.5% (95% CI = 0.001–0.028) prevalence rates in female and male cattle, respectively. Whereas a prevalence rate of 1.5% (95% CI = 0.005–0.043) was recorded in the White Fulani breed, the Sokoto Gudali had 0% prevalence rate. The prevalence recorded in this study was not associated (P ˃ 0.05) with sex or breed. The mean PCV, HbC, TEC, MCV, MCH, MCHC, and TLC values of the infected cattle differed (P < 0.05) from that of the uninfected cattle. In conclusion, trypanosomosis is prevalent in cattle slaughtered in Nsukka, Southeastern Nigeria, with associated hematological changes. Hence, the need for the adoption and implementation of national trypanosomosis integrated control strategies.