Efficacy of Trypan(Diminazene Di-Aceturate)in Camels Infected with Trypanosoma Evansi

Abstract

The 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.