Authors : R.I.O. Nwoha, B.M. Anene and I.O. Eze
Abstract: The serum biochemical changes in dogs with experimental single and conjunct infections of Trypanosoma brucei and Ancylostoma caninum were studied. Four groups (1-4) of five dogs each were used for the study. Groups 1-3 were infected, respectively with 120 L3 of Ancylostoma caninum, 1.5×106 mL -1 of Trypanosoma brucei brucei (federe strain) only and a combination of Ancylostoma caninum and Trypanosoma brucei brucei while Group 1 served as uninfected control. The results show that the infections produced significant changes in the conjunct infection than the single infections. There was apparently shorter pre-patent period of T. brucei brucei (4-6 days) in the conjunct infection as against 6-9 days recorded in the single T. brucei brucei infection. There was also a shorter pre-patent period of 13 days as against 19 days in the single Ancylostoma caninum. There was significant high (p<0.05) Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) in the infected Groups compared to the control. Also, the total bilirubin and creatinine values of the infected groups were significantly higher (p<0.05) than the control. However, the creatinine levels of Group 3 were unaffected. The serum activities of Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) in all the infected groups were significantly higher (p<0.05) while the serum Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activity was significantly lower (p<0.05) than the control. It was concluded that conjunct infection of dogs with Trypanosoma brucei brucei and Ancylostoma caninum which resulted in marked biochemical alterations can be ancillary to diagnosis and useful in prognosis during such natural infections.
R.I.O. Nwoha, B.M. Anene and I.O. Eze, 2012. Serum Biochemical and Liver Enzymes Changes in Dogs with Single and Conjunct Experimental Infections of Trypanosoma brucei brucei and Ancylostoma caninum. International Journal of Tropical Medicine, 7: 138-142.