Hemolytic complement and serum C3 levels in Zebu cattle infected with Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma vivax and the effect of trypanocidal treatment

Total hemolytic complement and C3 levels were found to drop to 6.25% and 50% of preinfection levels, respectively, during trypanosome infections. Chemotherapeutic elimination of the trypanosomes with Berenil led to recovery of preinfection levels within 7 days and 11 days when cattle infected with Trypanosome congolense and Trypanosoma vivax, respectively, were treated 37 days after onset of infection. Recovery was slower in T. vivax-infected cattle treated on day 50. Berenil treatment had no effect on complement levels in control animals. The possible causes and implications of these low complement levels in bovine trypanosomiasis are discussed.