Haematology of Naturally Infected Trypanosoma evansi Cattle in Borno State, Nigeria: Alterations due to Body Condition Score, Breed, Age and Sex

Aim: The study aimed to ascertain the variations in the haematological parameters of cattle from the Nigerian state of Borno that were naturally infected with Trypanosoma evansi (T. evansi). Methods: Three hundred and eleven (311) blood samples from apparently healthy cattle in different Local Government areas were collected from May to October 2018. The body condition score of each cattle was accessed using standard procedure. Information noted and recorded against the animal during sampling includes location, sex, age group, breed, and body condition score. Cattle blood samples from the study areas were considered positive for T. evansi once a stained blood smear showed an average-dimension spindled-shaped body, a centralized nucleus, an evolved wavy barrier, a floating flagellum, and an intermediate kinetoplast near the caudal end of the parasite. Results: The T. evensi infection was found to cause a substantial decrease in PCV, Hb, and RBC counts of the infected cattle when compared to the uninfected cattle; however, the infected cattle’s leucocytes and WBC counts were significantly higher than the uninfected cattle. Also, there was no significant correlation (p > 0.05) found across T. evansi infection and changes in the haematological parameters and the breed, age, gender, and body condition score. Conclusion: The present study revealed that infection with T. evansi has a negative effect on some of the haematological parameters (PCV, Hb, RBC, and WBC) in the infected cattle, in relation to body condition score, age, sex and breeds.