Serum Protein Electrophoresis Patterns in Camels with Trypanosoma evansi Infection in Jigawa State, North West Nigeria

Trypanosoma evansi is the causative agent of surra in camels, a chronic wasting disease of significant economic importance in the dromedary camel populations of North West Nigeria. Serum protein electrophoresis patterns in T. evansi-infected camels in Nigeria have not been analytically characterised, representing a critical gap in species-specific veterinary biochemistry. This study analysed serum protein electrophoretic fractions in dromedary camels with confirmed T. evansi infection in Jigawa State. Seventy camels comprising forty PCR-confirmed T. evansi-positive animals and thirty non-infected controls were enrolled from pastoral communities. Serum protein fractions including albumin, alpha-1, alpha-2, beta-1, beta-2, and gamma-globulins were separated by cellulose acetate electrophoresis and quantified by densitometry. Infected camels showed a characteristic pattern of hypoalbuminaemia alongside marked elevation of alpha-2 and gamma-globulin fractions. Gamma-globulin concentrations correlated positively with parasitaemia levels determined by buffy coat technique. Total globulin-to-albumin ratio inversion was observed in thirty-one of forty infected animals. Beta-globulin fractions were modestly elevated, consistent with elevated acute-phase protein haptoglobin in the beta-2 fraction. These distinct electrophoretic patterns provide an analytically validated biochemical basis for supplementary diagnosis of T. evansi infection in camels and offer a prognostic tool for monitoring disease progression and treatment response in North West Nigerian camel pastoral communities. Keywords: Trypanosoma evansi, serum protein electrophoresis, camel, gamma-globulin, Jigawa State.