Infection with Strongyloides papillosus in sheep : Effect of parasitic infection and treatment with albendazole on basic haematological parameters

The aim of this study was to determine and evaluate the basic haematological parameters in conditions of natural infection of sheep with Strongyloides papillosus, as well as after the administration of antihelminthic albendazole (ABZ). Based on the intensity of infection with S. papillosus the sheep were divided into three groups: mild, moderate and high, and after that the sheep received a single dose of ABZ of 5mg/kg per body weight, per orally. Sampling of faeces and blood for parasitological and haematological assaying respectively, was performed on the 0 and the 21st day after the treatment with ABZ. The presence of parasitic infection with S. papillosus leads to a decrease of erythrocyte count, while the lowest values were established in the group with the highest intensity of parasitic infection (p ˂ 0.001). After treatment with ABZ the decrease of erythrocyte count was more prominent, which was, based on comparison with control groups C1 and C2, unequivocally established to be the consequence of treatment with ABZ. Detected values of haematocrit and erythrocyte indices indicated the presence of parasitic infection: the lowest values were established in the group with the highest intensity of parasitic infection. After treatment with ABZ haematocrit levels in control group C2 were statistically significantly lower compared to the control group C1 (p ˂ 0.001). In the presence of parasitic infection, the neutrophil and eosinophil counts increased almost linearly up to the value of 44.24±2.50% and 13.29±0.61% respectively, in the group of sheep with the highest intensity of parasitic infection (p ˂ 0.001; compared to control group C1). After treatment with ABZ the decrease of the number of these white blood cells is statistically significant (p ˂ 0.001). Bearing in mind our previous research and the connection of disbalanced redox equilibrium after the treatment with ABZ with changes, it is necessary to include antioxidative substances in the anti-parasitic treatment protocols.