Packed Cell Volume as an Indicator of Camel Trypanosomosis in the Sudan

Abstract

Trypanosomosis is a haemoprotozoan disease that results in varying degree of anemia in man and animals. It is caused by several species of the genus Trypanosoma. Trypanosomosis is ranked as a major threat to camel industry in Sudan. This paper reports the effects of trypanosomes on camel packed red cell volume (PCV) as depicted by field surveys to determine the prevalence of camel trypanosomosis in the Sudan. The PCV values of 894 examined camels were recorded. Thereafter, the range and the mean PCVs of infected and non-infected camels were determined. The effects of seasonal variation as well as the effects of trypanosomes on PCV values were also evaluated. The mean PCV value of infected individuals was found to be significantly (p<0.01) lower than that of non-infected. Seasonal variations had no significant effect (p>0.05) to be observed in this study. It was concluded that the degree of anemia as estimated by measuring PCV, could be used as indicator of trypanosomosis of camel herds in risk areas. This is may be helpful for strategic and effective use of trypanocides in trypanosomosis control, and may lower the distribution of drug resistant strains.