First report of surra (Trypanosoma evansi infection) in Iranian sheep

Abstract

Clinical trypanosomiasis in sheep is described for the first time in Iran after history taking, complete physical examination and blood samples collected for laboratory investigations. The client empha-sised on animal weight loss dating back to one week ago. The clinical examination revealed enlarge-ments of the pre-scapular and pre-femoral lymph nodes and pale mucous membranes. Laboratory investigation showed that the sheep had anaemia with hyperproteinaemia. Thin blood smear examina-tion revealed the presence of Trypanosoma. Treatment included diminazene aceturate (3.5 mg/kg, IM) for three consecutive days, flunixin meglumine (1.1 mg/kg, IM), and oxytetracycline (10 mg/kg, IM). The examination of the blood film after treatment showed no parasite. Trypanosomiasis may occur in our climatic condition in sheep. In two cases studied here, two consecutive doses of di-minazene aceturate administration led to clinical cure. The control of trypanosomiasis in farms may be possible through methods for the control of vectors, such as prophylactic treatment and observing of hygiene in husbandry systems for animals at risk.

Keywords

• blood parasite
• diminazene
• sheep
• trypanosoma