Pathological Observations in Trypanosoma evansi Infected Yankasa Sheep

Abstract

The pathology of Trypanosoma evansi infection in Yankasa sheep was studied using an isolate obtained from the blood of an infected camel slaughtered at Kano Abattoir, Kano State, Nigeria. Pathological changes affecting various organs were noted including pale and anemic carcasses and serious atrophy of adipose tissue. The major gross lesions observed were lymphadenitis, lymphadenopathy, and splenomegaly.
Histopathological changes in the infected Yankasa sheep included fatty degeneration involving hepatocytes, erythrophagocytosis, and haemosiderosis associated with focal areas of hepatic necrosis in chronic cases. Glomerular necrosis, and that of proximal and distal collecting tubules, mononuclear cell infiltration, and congestion were observed in the kidneys of the T. evansi infected Yankasa sheep. Other lesions associated with the infection include emphysema, pulmonary congestion, and diffuse mononuclear cell infiltration into the lung parenchyma (pneumonia). There were no significant findings in the organs of the control sheep.
The results of this study have indicated the susceptibility of the Yankasa sheep to the T. evansi isolate. The full genetically characterization of the isolate was, however, not carried out.