Bovine trypanosomosis and its impact on cattle in derived savanna areas of Ogun State, Nigeria

S. O. Sam-Wobo^1*, A. J. Igenezoa¹, O. A. Idowu¹, E. B. Otesile², U. F. Ekpo¹ and O. O. Kehinde²

¹Parasitology Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Agriculture,

P. M. B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

²College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture, P. M. B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author: E-mail: sammywobo@gmail.com.

Accepted 19 April, 2010

   Abstract

Parasitological evaluation of bovine trypanosomosis to assess its impact in 113 cattle from Ogunola, Olodo, and Imeko in derived savanna areas of Ogun State were carried out. Blood samples were collected aseptically and screened using Standard Trypanosome Detection Methods in addition to packed cell volume (PCV) determination. Results showed that mean prevalence rate of bovine trypanosomosis was 31.62% with varying prevalence across the communities Olodo (42.85%), Ogunola (39.13%) and Imeko (13.33%). Assessing age and infection status revealed that animals over 60 months (5 years) had higher infection rate across all study locations with a statistical significant difference (p < 0.05) in infection. Infection were higher among the females than the males but not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The PCV values of infected cattle in all locations were lower than the non-infected. Trypanosoma vivax prevalence was higher than Trypanosoma congolense, and Trypanosoma brucei brucei across communities. The common breeds identified were the red Bororo (37.6%), Sokoto Gudali (25.6%) and the white Fulani (36.8%). The white Fulani had higher infection status (18.8%) than the Gudali (9.8%) and Red bororo (3%). The high rate of T. vivax and the zoonotic nature of T. b. brucei call for urgent control action for humans and cattle.

Key words: Trypanosomosis, derived savanna areas, Ogun State.