Cytological Indices of Peripheral Blood and Bone Marrow Smears in Albino Rats infected with Trypanosoma Brucei Brucei

Trypanosomiasis is a debilitating disease in man and animals which has adversely affected economic and social well-being of sub-Saharan Africans. Haematological parameters were determined in fifty (50) male albino rats, in which thirty five (35) were infected with Typanosoma brucei brucei and the effects of this condition was assessed on peripheral blood and bone marrow cells using cytochemical stains. Data obtained were statistically compared and P˂0.05 was considered significant. Rats in infected group had significantly lower HCT, RBC, HGB and MCV levels and significantly higher WBC, MCHC, lymphocytes and mixed cells levels compared with controls. Cytochemical reactions of bone marrow cells revealed that all granulocytes, except myelocytes and basophils, were peroxidase positive. It could be concluded in this study that the infected rat subjects suffered severe haemolytic anaemia and leucocytosis observed in the infected group attributed to the immune response to trypanosome infection.