Effects of Treatment on Haematology and Glucose Levels in Trypanosoma Brucei - Infected Grasscutters (Thryonomys swinderianus)

Abstract

Captive reared grasscutters were experimentally challenged with Trypanosome brucei, while the therapeutic effect of two trypanocides were compared based on animals’ clinical, haematologic, glucose level and microscopic assessments. Red blood cell indices of all the rats were determined using standard procedures while blood glucose levels were determined in situ using glucometer. There was a significant difference in the packed cell volume and blood glucose levels, red cell count across groups, before infection, after infection and after treatment. There are no significant changes in the weight of the experimental animals. Histopathology showed liver and kidney vacuolar and tubular epithelial degeneration, respectively, with thrombosis in alveolar blood vessels.

Keywords: Grasscutter, Trypanosomosis, Hematology, Glucose, Trypanocides, Efficacy.