Health management of horses under high challenge from trypanosomes: a case study from Serengeti, Tanzania

Auty, H. , Mundy, A., Fyumagwa, R. D., Picozzi, K., Welburn, S. and Hoare, R. (2008) Health management of horses under high challenge from trypanosomes: a case study from Serengeti, Tanzania. Veterinary Parasitology, 154(3-4), pp. 233-241. (doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2008.02.034) (PMID:18450381)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

Horses kept for recreational riding purposes by a wildlife tourism company in a heavily tsetse fly-infested region of north-western Tanzania were systematically monitored to investigate the occurrence, presentation and management of tsetse-transmitted trypanosomosis. During a 23-month period, 18 clinical cases were diagnosed (Trypanosoma brucei or Trypanosoma congolense were identified) and treated and trypanosomes were implicated of involvement in four deaths. Pyrexia consistently aided early detection (17 cases). Ataxia, weight loss and anaemia were seen in chronic cases and conferred a poor prognosis. Delaying treatment by more than 2 days from the onset of clinical signs led to prolonged disease course and more severe anaemia. Early detection, prompt treatment, thorough post-treatment health monitoring and rigorous prophylactic measures helped keep clinical cases to manageable levels, but re-infection remained a constant, insidious threat.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Auty, Harriet
Authors: Auty, H., Mundy, A., Fyumagwa, R. D., Picozzi, K., Welburn, S., and Hoare, R.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Veterinary Parasitology
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0304-4017
ISSN (Online):1873-2550
Published Online:14 March 2008

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record