P F Suh1, F Njiokou1, A Mamoudou2, T M Ahmadou3, A Mouhaman4, R Garabed5. 1. Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon. 2. Department of Parasitology and Parasitological Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Ngaoundéré, Cameroon. 3. Mission Spéciale d'éradication des glossines, Cameroon. 4. The Higher Institute of the Sahel University of Maroua, Cameroon. 5. College of Veterinary Medicine,Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The Far-North region of Cameroon has been considered free of tsetse and trypanosomiasis for the past three decades. But recent reports by pastoralists indicate its reappearance in the region. This study was aimed to confirm the existence of cattle trypanosomiasis and determine its prevalence, and to establish pastoralists knowledge and practice (KP) of the disease in Ndiyam Shinwa pastoral zone of Cameroon. METHODS: A total of 118 herds were surveyed for a descriptive, cross-sectional study in Ndiyam Shinwa pastoral zone from May to November 2014. Out of these, 110 herds were visited in the beginning of the rainy season, 22 of the 110 herds (suspect cattle) were revisited along with the remaining eight herds in the end of the season. The blood samples of 635 suspect cattle and 135 nonsuspect cattle were collected. Samples were subjected to two diagnostic tests: Buffy coat test (BCT) and packed cell volume (PCV) determination. A survey on pastoralist's (n = 118) KP about trypanosomiasis was also undertaken. RESULTS: Parasitological analyses revealed six infections by Trypanosoma vivax: Four in suspect cattle against two in nonsuspect cattle, corresponding respectively to apparent prevalence of 0.63 and 1.46% and true prevalence of (0.79-3.15%) and (1.82-7.30%). The proportion of cattle found infected in the PCV as well as BCT tests was 33.26% for suspect cattle. More than 75% of followed-up suspects showed persisting symptoms nearly three months after initial examination. The most common diagnostic signs for pastoralists were ruffled hair, lacrimation, anorexia and emaciation. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Cattle trypanosomiasis has reappeared in the Far-North region and seems to be in the inter-epizootic phase. Pastoralists have a good knowledge of the disease, but their perception of its importance seems to be influenced by the persistence of symptoms attributed to this disease in suspect cattle.
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The Far-North region of Cameroon has been considered free of tsetse and trypanosomiasis for the past three decades. But recent reports by pastoralists indicate its reappearance in the region. This study was aimed to confirm the existence of cattle trypanosomiasis and determine its prevalence, and to establish pastoralists knowledge and practice (KP) of the disease in Ndiyam Shinwa pastoral zone of Cameroon. METHODS: A total of 118 herds were surveyed for a descriptive, cross-sectional study in Ndiyam Shinwa pastoral zone from May to November 2014. Out of these, 110 herds were visited in the beginning of the rainy season, 22 of the 110 herds (suspect cattle) were revisited along with the remaining eight herds in the end of the season. The blood samples of 635 suspect cattle and 135 nonsuspect cattle were collected. Samples were subjected to two diagnostic tests: Buffy coat test (BCT) and packed cell volume (PCV) determination. A survey on pastoralist's (n = 118) KP about trypanosomiasis was also undertaken. RESULTS: Parasitological analyses revealed six infections by Trypanosoma vivax: Four in suspect cattle against two in nonsuspect cattle, corresponding respectively to apparent prevalence of 0.63 and 1.46% and true prevalence of (0.79-3.15%) and (1.82-7.30%). The proportion of cattle found infected in the PCV as well as BCT tests was 33.26% for suspect cattle. More than 75% of followed-up suspects showed persisting symptoms nearly three months after initial examination. The most common diagnostic signs for pastoralists were ruffled hair, lacrimation, anorexia and emaciation. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION:Cattle trypanosomiasis has reappeared in the Far-North region and seems to be in the inter-epizootic phase. Pastoralists have a good knowledge of the disease, but their perception of its importance seems to be influenced by the persistence of symptoms attributed to this disease in suspect cattle.
Authors: Paul Olalekan Odeniran; Akindele Akano Onifade; Ewan Thomas MacLeod; Isaiah Oluwafemi Ademola; Simon Alderton; Susan Christina Welburn Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-11-20 Impact factor: 3.240