Authors : S.O. Okaiyeto , L.B. Tekdek , A.K. Sackey and O.J. Ajunusi
Abstract: An experimental study on dual infections with Trypanosoma congolense (Tc) and Haemonchus contortus (Hc) was conducted in 30 female Yankassa sheep aged between 12 and 25 months. Parasitological observations like prepatent period, faecal egg count, worm burden were made on animals infected with H. contortus alone and T. congolense also alone. Then one group was infected with T. congolense and one week after H. contortus infection and another group vice versa. It was observed that in Tc+Hc group, T. congolense infection lowered the normal reisitance to H. contortus. The prepatent period was reduced to 17days as compared to 21 days in single H. contortus and in H. contortus preceding T. congolense, respectively. Aneamia, diarrhea and rough hair coat were the major presenting clinical sign. L3 establishment was significantly enhanced in Tc+Hc infected group, higher worm burden was also observed in the same Tc+Hc infected group. The result clearly indicated the immunosuppressive effects of Trypanosomosis on the animal inability to resist helminthic infection.
S.O. Okaiyeto , L.B. Tekdek , A.K. Sackey and O.J. Ajunusi , 2008. The Interaction of Trypanosoma congolense and Haemonchus contortus Infections in Yankassa Sheep. Research Journal of Animal Sciences, 2: 50-52.