Sampling methods
The study animals were purposively selected by faecal sedimentation techniques to confirm the presence/ absence
of Fasciola’s eggs. Sheep with the EPG (Egg count per gram of faeces) above 200 were selected as infected group and
sheep which were negative at the time of examination were considered as health control group with additional treatment
with single dose of Triclabendazole 10 mg/kg to avoid infection with immature stage. Both groups were kept under
similar diet and management system.
Analysis of hematological parameters
Five milliliters of venous blood were taken from the jugular vein into Ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA)
(HiMedia Laboratories LTD®, Mumbai, India) tubes and stored at +4°C. The CBC (complete blood count) were measured
using an automated Sysmex hematology blood analyzer.
Analysis of biochemical parameters
Another five milliliters of blood were drawn from jugular vein into serum separating tubes and allowed to stand in
undisturbed and slanted position for three to four hours. The clot was retracted to separate the serum. The collected
serum was stored at -20oC in serum vials, which were properly capped and labelled. Serum level aspartate
aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total protein (TP) and glucose were measured according to
standard procedures by Vegasys Clinical chemistry analyzer using enzymatic methods at 37°C.
Data analysis
Data analysis was done by STATA software ver.12. Significant differences on the hematological and biochemical
parameters between infected and control group were determined by t-test. Results are expressed as mean ±SD (standard
deviation). Differences were considered as significant when P<0.05.
Ethical statement
Ethical clearance was obtained from the Research and Ethical Committee of University of Gondar. Permission
approval was also obtained from the district and verbal consent from each owners during selection of the animals. The
infected animals were ethically euthanized and the health control group was transferred to Anatomy department for
teaching learning process.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Hematological profile
Fasciolosis causes hematological changes on the host that harbor the parasites. The current study indicated the
change in hematological values of RBC and its components such as total red blood cell (tRBC), hemoglobin (Hb) and
hemotocrite (Hct). The infected sheep showed significant mean reduction (P<0.001) in tRBC (5.62±1.15 x 106/µl)
compared to the control group (10.27±1.36 x 106/µl). Accordingly, the mean value in Hb and Hct were significantly
reduced (P<0.001) in Fasciola infected sheep than non-infected groups. There was significant mean variation in Hb and
Hct in infected group (8.92±1.66 g/dL, 12.68±1.66 %) and health controls (20.12±5.78 g/dL, 38.9±6.05%) respectively
(Table 1). Fasciolosis were also induced significant change in all RBC indexes. The infected sheep demonstrated
significant mean reduction (P<0.001) in MCV, MCH and MCHC (26.05±4.16 fl, 9.444±2.00 pg and 29.716±2.55 g/dL)
compared to the non-infected sheep (40.50±3.35fl, 13.100±1.35 pg and 34.327±3.06 g/dL, respectively) (Table 2).
Regarding to leukocytes, the total white blood cells (tWBC) and eosinophils count were significantly elevated (P<0.001) in
case groups than controls. The mean count of tWBC was significantly raised from 7.12±2.61 to 11.27±2.7 x103/µl and
eosinophils from 2.82±1.07 to 7.19±2.81% in non-infected group and infected groups respectively. However, there were
no significant changes in neutrophils, lymphocytes, basophils and monocytes count between the infected and non-
infected group (Table 3).
Table 1 - Erythrocyte values of Fasciola infected sheep and control group (n=52)
Case group (n=26)
Mean±SD
Control group (n=26)
Mean±SD
No
Parameter
P-value
1
2
3
tRBC (/106/µl)
Hb(g/dl)
Hct (%)
5.62±1.15
8.92±1.66
20.12±5.78
10.27±1.36
12.68±1.66
38.9±6.05
0.001
0.001
0.001
Table 2 - Value of RBC indexes in Fasciola infected sheep and control group (n=52)
Case group (n=26)
Control group (n=26)
Mean±SD
No
Parameter
P-value
Mean±SD
26.05±4.16
9.444±2.00
29.716±2.55
1
2
3
MCV (fl)
MCH (pg)
MCHC (g/dL)
40.50±3.35
13.100±1.35
34.327±3.06
0.001
0.001
0.001
72
Citation: Yesuf M, Erara M, Kenubih A, Belay A and Ahmedin N (2020). Hemato-biochemical profiles of sheep infected with fasciolosis in comparison with health