The histopathology of Trypanosoma brucei infection in African giant rats (Cricetomys gambianus) was studied using an isolate of T. brucei that was originally obtained from the blood of a naturally infected pig in Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria. A total of six rats were each infected intraperitoneally with 0.2 mL of infected blood containing approximately 2.0 x 105 T. brucei parasites. Six other African giant rats served as uninfected controls. Pathological changes that occurred as a result of the infection were recorded and included anaemic carcasses, congested lungs, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, enlargement of adrenal glands and lymphadenitis. The histopathology associated with the infection included reactive hyperplasia of lymph nodes and spleen, mononuclear cell infiltrations into tissues and organs (liver, lung, kidney, spleen, myocardium), and erythrophagocytosis. The observed changes have indicated that African giant rats are susceptible to the T. brucei isolate, and the rats might not function well if exposed to the parasite.

KEYWORDS: African giant rat, Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosomiasis, histopathology.