Nwoha RIO and Anene BM
The role of acetylcholinesterase (ACTH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) as biomarkers in Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei) infection in dogs were determined. Twelve young mongrel breed of dogs of both sexes between 6 to 8 months and weighing between 6.0 to 8.2 kg were used in the study. The dogs were grouped into GPA (infected with T. brucei) and GPB (uninfected control) of 6 dogs each. The infection was done intraperitoneally using an estimated number of 2.5 × 106 trypanosomes per dog. The prepatent period of T. brucei infection in GPA was at 5 ± 1.0 days post infection. Blood samples for assessment of the activities of ACTH, LDH and CK were collected through the cephalic veins of the dogs on days 0, 3, 7, 10, 12 and 16 post infections. There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in both CK and LDH on days 12 and 16 but no significant difference (p<0.05) was observed in their activities on other periods. Conversely, there was no significant difference (p<0.05) in the activity of ACTH of the infected group (GPA) from day zero till day 16 post infection compared to the control (GPB). The elevated levels of both CK and LDH may be likened to energy deficit and increased inflammatory reaction occasioned by T. brucei infection. A significant increase (p<0.05) in temperature of the infected GPA was recorded on days 7, 10 and 16 post infection. It could therefore be inferred that both CK and LDH may serve as surrogate markers of T. brucei infection in dogs.
