Comparative application of antigen detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and buffy coat parasitological technique for diagnosis of bovine trypanosomosis in Nigeria

Abstract

Antigen-detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Ag-ELISA) and buffy coat parasitological technique (BCT) were employed for the diagnosis of bovine trypanosomiosis in trade cattle slaughtered at the Bodija Municipal abattoir in Ibadan, Oyo State, between March and November, 2002 and in some sedentary herds located in Oyo, Ondo and Kwara States of Nigeria between September and November, 2002. The results obtained by the BCT showed that the prevalence rates of the disease were: 8.5%; in trade cattle and 9.2%; 14.6%; 16.8% in herds in Oyo, Ondo, and in Kwara State respectively. Comparatively, the use of Ag-ELISA gave higher prevalence rates as follows: trade cattle 16%; Oyo State 16.4%, Ondo 25.0% and Kwara 25%. At species level Trypanosoma congolense was the most frequently detected parasite by both the BCT and Ag. ELISA, revealing a shift in the occurrence of the species in cattle against the background that T. vivax is the most commonly found trypanosome species in Nigeria. With these results, Ag. ELISA has an obvious role in the epizootiological studies of bovine trypanosomiosis in Nigeria.

KEY WORDS: Trypanosomosis, Bovine, ELISA, Buffy-coat, Diagnosis

Nigerian Veterinary Journal Vol.25(2) 2004: 13-18