Browsing by Author "Njiru, Z.K."
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Item Efficacy of Trypan(Diminazene Di-Aceturate)in Camels Infected with Trypanosoma Evansi(2003) Maina, N.; Ngotho, J.M.; Njiru, Z.K.; Karanja, W M.; Gem, O.C.; Karanja, S.M.; Kibugu, J.K.; Ndungu, J.M.; Kenya Trypanosomiasis Research Institute; Kenya Trypanosomiasis Research Institute (KETRI), P.O. Box 362, Kikuyu, KenyaThe efficacy of a diminazene aceturate formulation•, Trypan® (Ataros GmbH and Co.) which was recently developed and recommended for camel trypanosomosis, was tested in 11 (1 to 3 year old) dromedary camels. The animals, .were divided into 3 groups; 1, 2 and 3, comprising 4, 3 and 4 camels, respectively. Groups 2 and 3 Camels were inoculated with Trypanosoma evansi KETRI 2455 (1 x •10' trypanosomes) via intravenous injection while group 1 \vas left uninfected. Clinical examination and parasitaemia determination were done daily whereas Blood for haematology was collected weekly. Camels in group 2 and 3 were treated with Trypan at 3.5 mg/kg bwt intramuscularly (1M) at the onset of parasitaemia (day 8 post infection) and at peak parasitaemia (day 10 post infection), respectively. The .control animals (group 1) were treated with Trypan® at 3.5 mg/kg bwt 1M and Observed daily for overt signs of toxicity. The camels did not show any sign of toxicity during the 3 months experimental period. Treatment with Trypanl/l) at the onset of parasitaemia (group 2) resulted in clearance of trypanosomes• within 18 hours. The animals however relapsed ten days after treatment and were treated Curatively with 0.25 mg/kg bwt melarsomine. Camels treated at peak parasitaemia with Trypan® also became aparasitaemic within 18 hours. The clinical condition of the camels severely deteriorated despite no relapse. The camel were euthaniased 5 days post treatment to alleviate further suffering. At post-mortem there was exudative Pneumonia. Haemorrhagic gastroenteritis and myocarditis. Histopathology revealed involvement of the central nervous system, with heavy cellular infiltration and congestion of blood vessels This Implies that Trypan'" suspension may not be effective in curing camels with acute T. evansi infections.Item Haematological and Serological Changes During Acute Trypanosoma Evansi Infection in Drome Dary Camels (Camerus Dromedarius)(2000) Njiru, Z.K.; Mukani, W.O.; Khaemba, B. M.; Ochieng, R.S.; Ndungu, J.M.; ; Kenya Trypanosomiasis Research Institute; Kenya Trypanosomiasis Research Institute (KETRI), P.O.Box 362, Kikuyu, KenyaThe pathological effects of acute T. evansi infection in camels, haematological and serological parameters were assessed in 5 experimentally infected camels. The role of these parameters in immunosuppression and sudden death in sick camels was also investigated. Following infection, there was a massive leukocytosis characterised by lymphocytosis, neutrophilia and a mild eosinophilia. Monocyte, basophil and packed cell volume changes were negligible. There was a significant reduction (p<0.05) in haemolytic complement and an increase in complement fixing antibodies. These parameters returned to pre-infection levels after i.m. treatment with melarsomyl (Cymerlsan) at 0.25 mg/kg body weight. These results indicate that the activation of haemolytic complement during acute infection may be a major factor contributing to death in camels infected with trypanosomosis.Item Trypanosomosis and Helminthosis in Camels: Comparison of Ranch and Traditional Camel Management Systems in Kenya(2002) Njiru, Z.K.; Bett, B.; Ole-Mapeny, I.M.; Githiori, J.B.; Ndungu, J.M.; Kenya Trypanosomiasis Research Institute; Kenya Traypanosomiasis Research Institute (KETRI), P.O.Box 362, Kikuyu, KenyaTwo camel rearing systems were compared, using trypanosomiasis and helminthosis prevalence as indicators of disease constraint. Biting flies were trapped to assess their role in transmission of trypanosomiasis. Data was collected during the wet and dry seasons. The prevalences of trypanosomiasis were 17.65 and 8.5% in ranch and traditional systems, respectively, and varied with age, sex and season. On average, single helminthic infection (67.3%) was higher than mixed infection (32.7%) in both systems, while Trichostrongylus spp. were the most prevalent. The mean egg count per gram of faeces (epg) was 220±78.20 and 1750±102.67 in ranch and traditional systems, respectively. The ranch camels required more veterinary attention than the traditionally grazed ones. The biting flies caught consisted of Haematobia minuta (94.8%), Tabanus taeniola (4%) and Hippobosca camelina and H. variegata (1.2%). Most flies were caught during the wet season and around the camel sheds. From this study, it appears that camels kept under ranch management have a higher disease burden than those kept in a traditional system.
