Santé animale

Review on Serum Biochemical Changes in Ruminants Infected with Major Trypanosome Species

Addisu Awekew, Belay Fetene and Eyob Eshetu

International Journal of Advanced Research in Biological Sciences

DOI: 10.22192/ijarbs Coden: IJARQG(USA) Volume 4, Issue 10 - 2017

Abstract African trypanosomes are pathogens for humans and livestock. They are single-cell, extra-cellular parasites that cause persistent infections of the blood and induce profound immunosuppression. The life cycle of the African trypanosome begins when a tsetse fly feeds from an infected mammalian and the epidemiology depends on three factors, the distribution of the vectors, and the virulence of the parasite and the response of the host.The major pathogenic tsetse-transmitted trypanosome species are Trypanosoma congolense, T. vivax and T. brucei in cattle, sheep and goats and are found in the bloodstream and tissues of vertebrates throughout the world. However, these species are of overwhelming importance as a serious cause of morbidity and mortality in animals in tropical regions. There are no pathognomonic gross or histopathological lesions found in the animals that die of trypanosomiasis. Most of the observed lesions are due to the circulatory disturbances caused by anemia. Serum biochemical changes are characteristics of trypanosome infections, the severity of which are often determined by the strain of the infecting trypanosome and the host. It is known that pathophysiological alterations occur in the cellular and plasma components of blood during infection. The disease affects different body organs of infected animals which lead to alterations in serum biochemical parameters like liver enzymes, Total Proteins, Albumin, Glucose and Cholesterol. Hypoglycemia, which has been shown to occur during trypanosomosis, is reported to be due to excessive utilization of blood glucose by trypanosomes for their metabolism.Continuous utilization from the blood stream of cholesterol, phospholipids and total lipids also are a contributory factor to lowering of the serum levels of lipids and cholesterol. Thus, this manuscript reviews the serum biochemical changes and the major Trypanosoma species infecting ruminants.