Short Communication: Prevalence of trypanosoma species found in cattle slaughtered in Tudun Wada abattoir Kaduna Nigeria

Abstract

Animal trypanosomosis is a major pathological constraint to livestock production in Africa including Nigeria thus causing serious economic loss. To determine the prevalence of Trypanosoma species in slaughtered cattle in Tudun Wada abattoir, Kaduna, a total of 96 blood samples were parasitologically examined using standard Trypanosome detection technique (STD) and concentration methods (HCT and BCM) for parasite detection. The Packed Cell Volume was also determined. The prevalence of Trypanosoma species was 15.6%. The packed cell volume (PCV) varied between 12% and 56% with a mean PCV of 32.04%. There was multi-species detection of Trypanosomesin the samples examined. The statistical association (χ²= 6.18; df=2; p=0.0455) between prevalence of Trypanosoma species and PCV was marginally significant. There was statistical association (χ²= 11.92; df=2; p=0.0026) between prevalence of blood parasites and PCV. The result of this study shows that trypanosomosis is still an important constraint in livestock production. This is of public health significance.

Key words: prevalence, trypanosome species, cattle