Effects of trypanosomosis on hemogram and some biochemical parameters of guinea pigs experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei in Maiduguri, Nigeria

The study was designed to evaluate the effect of tryponosomosis on hemogram and some biochemical parameters of guinea pigs. Guinea pigs of both sexes weighing (5-10 kg) were divided into six groups (A, B, C, D, E and F) with five guinea pigs in each group. At day zero, to establish the baseline data, all the animals in each of the six groups were bled for haematology and serum biochemistry and also clinical parameters (rectal temperature, respiratory rate, pulse rate and heart beats) were recorded while general body condition and physical signs were also evaluated. Groups A, B and C were intraperitoneally (IP) inoculated with 1×106 dose of Trypanosoma brucei brucei contained in 0.5 ml of blood.  Thereafter, blood samples were collected every other four (4) days for evaluation of hematology and serum electrolytes through the experimental period. Group D, E and F was uninfected control. All the infected groups (A, B, and C) had a pre-patent period of 16 days with similar levels of parasitaemia of 45.7±3.38 across the groups. The observed clinical signs among the infected groups (A, B and C) were pyrexia, pale feet, snout, pinnae and mucous membrane, anaemia, dullness, emaciation and loss of weight. In group A, a mean parasitaemia of 2.8 ± 0.84 occurred by day 16 post-infection post infection which continued to rise significantly without abating (p<0.05) to a peak count of 120.2 ± 5.48 by day 40 post infection. Similar findings was noticed across the groups. In groups D, E and F, their respective pre-infection RBC values of 6.20 ± 1.24, 6.24 ± 1.24 and 6.18 ± 1.24 remained fairly constant (p>0.05). Dose of Veriben^® administered at the dose rate of 7.0 mg/kg and 3.5 mg/kg have the abilities of curbing the state of anaemia, immunosuppression, and serum electrolytes levels in trypanosome-infected guinea pigs placed on a dose dependent manner.