Molecular Diagnosis of Natural Infection of Trypanosoma Congolense in a Dog in Abeokuta, Nigeria: A Case Report

A case of trypanosomosis was reported in a 3-year old male Rottweiler breed of dog in Abeokuta Metropolis, Nigeria. The dog was presented with clinical signs of epistaxis, bilateral corneal opacity, anorexia, vomiting brownish materials and recumbency. Haematological examination revealed high lymphocytes count, decreased red blood cells, Pack Cell Volume, haemoglobin concentration, MCH, MCHC and platelet count. Diagnosis was made using wet mount and Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the DNA using a primer set targeting the internal transcribe spacer 1 (ITS1) of rDNA, revealed single infection with Trypanosoma congolense. The dog was treated with a single dose of diminazene aceturate at the dose rate of 3.5 mg/kg body weight, intramuscularly along with the supportive therapy. The dog recovered 9 days post therapy.