Mixed Occurrence of Trypanosomes in Trade Cattle Slaughtered at Kano Abattoir, Northwestern Nigeria

The study assesses mixed occurrence of trypanosomes in trade cattle brought for slaughter at Kano Abattoir, Northwestern Nigeria. Standard trypanosome detection methods were used to screen blood samples collected from 242 cattle of different breeds and sexes. Overall infection rates of 1.24% was obtained. Infection rates in cows (3.17%; p<0.05) exceeded that of bulls (0.56%; p<0.05) with White Fulani cows having the highest infection rates (5.13%; p<0.05) followed by White Fulani bulls (1.08%; p<0.05) while no trypanosomal infection was detected in all the Sokoto Gudali cattle examined. Mean packed cell volume (PCV) of non-infected cattle (33±0.2; p<0.05) appears higher than the mean PCV of infected cattle (24±0.3; p<0.05). Prevalence due to Trypanosoma vivax was higher (0.83%; p<0.05) than the one encountered as a result of mixed infection due to T. congolense and T. vivax (0.41%; p<0.05). Conclusively, the result shows mixed occurrence of T. congolense and T. vivax in trade cattle examined. We therefore recommend further comprehensive survey to determine more accurately the current status of Animal trypanosomosis in trade cattle at Kano Abattoir.