Initial Plasma Protein Profile as Putative Index of Susceptibility in West Africa Dwarf and Red Sokoto Goats Experimentally Infected with Trypanosoma brucei and T. congolense.

Abstract

Plasma protein in experimental trypanosome infection of West African Dwarf (WAD) and Red Sokoto goats (RSG) were compared considering mortalities incurred. The comparison aimed at establishing initial breed  picture, discerning pattern of change under infection, in order to determine trend that serve as putative index of susceptibility which may be used as marker to assist early husbandry decisions within endemic area.

16 WAD, 16 RSG were subgrouped into 4 groups of 4 T. brucei (RSG_tb, WAD_tb), T. congolense (RSG_tc, WAD_tc), mixed T.brucei/T.congolense (RSG_tbc, WAD_tbc) or left as controls (RSG_c, WAD_c). RSG_tb and RSG_tc each had 25% mortality, RSG_tbc had 50% mortality but no infected WAD group had mortality. Serum samples analysed using HITACHI 902 automatic analyser showed Albumin (RSG_c > WAD_c)_IALB had significantly higher (P < 0.05) than infected goats (RSG_tb < WAD_tb ,RSG_tc < WAD_tc , RSG_tbc < WAD_tbc)_LALB. Globulin – controls (RSG_c < WAD_c)IGLB had significantly lower (P < 0.05) than infected goats (RSG_tb < WAD_tb , RSG_tc < WAD_tc , RSG_tbc < WAD_tbc) _LGLB..Total Protein – control (RSG_c > WAD_c)_ITP had significantly lower (P < 0.05) than infected goats (RSG_tb < WAD_tb , RSG_tc < WAD_tc , RSG_tbc < WAD_tbc)_LTP. Higher initial albumin and higher initial globulin of uninfected controls related to susceptibility and resistance in reversion where goat breed having comparatively higher initial albumin was more susceptible while goat breed having comparatively higher initial globulin was more resistant to African trypanosomosis. Higher initial Albumin levels could be used as putative index of susceptibility to the disease in goats.

Keywords: African Trypanosomosis, goats, plasma proteins, putative index of susceptibility.