The Comparative Effect of Experimental Trypanasomosis Infection and Pantizen Treatment on the Haematological Profile of Albino Rats

Objectives: Experimental infections of Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma congolense in albino rats was done to compare their haematologic effects and then treated with Pantizen®, a brand of diminazene aceturate to ascertain its therapeutic effect on the heamatological value of the infected rats.

Methods: Six groups (groups A, B, C, D, E, and F) of six albino rats each were used for the study. Group A was uninfected control. Groups B and C were single infections of T. brucei and T. congolense respectively. Group D rats were infected with T. brucei and T. congolense the same day. Group E rats infected with T. brucei first and T. congolense 7 days after. While Group F rats were infected with T. congolense first and T. brucei 7 days after. The infected rats were treated on day 14 post infection and monitored for 7 days post treatment. Packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), Red Blood Cell (RBC) counts, total and differential White Blood Cell counts (WBC), were monitored weekly.

Results: There was significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the erythrocyte values (PCV, Hb and RBC counts) and leucocytes values, more in group D followed by groups B and E. This indicates aneamia and immunosupression respectively. However, there was no significant variation (P > 0.05) in the PCV, RBC counts and Hb conc, total leucocyte, lymphocyte, neutrophil and monocyte counts of the infected animals treated with Pantizen® especially in group E.

Conclusion: It was thus concluded that the therapeutic effect of Pantizen® treatment may reverse the depletion effect of both single and mixed infections on haemo-immune system of the animal taking into consideration the parameter measured.