Detection of Bovine Trypanosomosis and Efficacy of Selected Trypanocidal Drugs in Konso District, Southern Ethiopia

by Open Science Repository Veterinary Medicine
(October 2013)

Abstract

Field and experimental investigations on bovine trypanosomosis and efficacy of selected trypanocidal drugs were undertaken in Konso district, southern Ethiopia, from September 2012 to June 2013, with major views to determine the prevalence and socioeconomic impacts of bovine trypanosomosis and assess the efficacies of selected trypanocidal drugs. Questionnaire interviews were used to collect relevant information. Blood microscopy and packed cell volume (PCV) estimation, estimation of apparent tsetse density, trypanocidal drug sensitivity testing, cattle treatment with experimental drugs, isolation and inoculation of trypanosome isolates and treatment and monitoring approaches were used. The study results revealed trypanosomosis to be a major threat to livestock production with contrasting arrays of socioeconomic impacts. The study on bovine trypanosomosis indicated an overall parasitological prevalence of 17.0 % and 13.4 % during rainy and dry season, respectively, reflecting its significant temporal and spatial variation (p < 0.001); and T. congolense to be a dominant trypanosome species hampering livestock production in Konso district. Regression analyses on haematological findings disclosed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the herd mean PCV with an increase in the prevalence of trypanosomosis. Drug sensitivity testing revealed the presence of T. congolense populations exhibiting resistance to Diminazene aceturate. In conclusion, the absence of improved veterinary service and indiscriminate use of poor-quality trypanocidal drugs have proven to boost the risk of drug resistance. Therefore, it is recommended that integrated disease control approaches be adopted with chemotherapy restricted to clinically sick animals, and legislations be devised and harmonized to ensure the quality of trypanocidal drugs.

Keywords: bovine trypanosomosis, PCV, prevalence, T. congolense, trypanocidal drugs.

Full text

Detection of Bovine Trypanosomosis and Efficacy of Selected Trypanocidal Drugs in Konso District, Southern Ethiopia