Prevalence of African trypanosomosis in cattle and sheep in Bassa local government area of Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

A cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of trypanosomosis in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State was carried out on 462 animals (361 cattle and 101 sheep) purposively selected. Blood samples were examined for trypanosomes and the packed cell volume was determined. Biconical traps were set to catch biting flies which were later dissected. The body condition scores of the selected animals were also noted. Out of the 462 blood samples examined, 22 (4.8%) tested positive for trypanosomes. Sheep had higher trypanosome prevalence of 6.9% than cattle 4.2%. The most prevalent species encountered was Trypanosoma vivax (86.4%) followed by T. brucei (13.6%). Trypanosoma vivax was also more predominant in cattle 13 (86.7%) than sheep 6 (85.7%). White Fulani and Red Bororo cattle had 4.2% and 0.0% prevalence, respectively while Yankasa sheep, the only sheep breed sampled, had 6.9%. Male cattle and sheep were more infected with the prevalence rates of 5.0% and 7.4%, respectively than their female counterpart (3.6% for cattle and 6.8% for Sheep). Young cattle (< 3yrs) and sheep (≤ 2yrs) had higher trypanosome infection rates of 5.4% and 9.4% than the adult cattle (≥ 3yrs) and sheep (>2yrs) having the prevalence rates of 3.1% and 4.2% respectively. Poor body conditioned animals had higher trypanosome prevalence (7.3%) than the good body conditioned ones (3.8%). Age, sex, breed and body condition score of animals examined did not influence the infection rate of trypanosome species (p>0.05). The mean PCV ± standard deviation of infected animals (21.73 ± 4.81) was significantly lower than non-infected animals (26.89 ± 4.37) p < 0.05.The study revealed an overall relative low fly density of 0.39 flies/trap/day and flies dissected were negative for trypanosome infection. This present study revealed trypanosome and their vectors are present in the study area. Therefore, improved Veterinary extension services and education should be implemented.

Keywords: Bassa, Cattle, Sheep, Prevalence, Trypanosomosis