Haematological and Serological Changes During Acute Trypanosoma Evansi Infection in Drome Dary Camels (Camerus Dromedarius)

Abstract

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.