Browsing by Author "Ochieng, R.S."

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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, Kenya
The 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.