Influence of trypanocidal therapy on the haematology of vervet monkeys experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense

► Haematological changes were characterized using the vervet monkey model of T. b. rhodesiense. ► The monkeys developed a disease characterised by microcytic hypochromic anaemia and thrombocytopenia. ► Diminazene and Mel B treatment normalised most haematological parameters within two weeks. ► Most parameters declined 1-2 weeks before relapse of trypanosomes in blood. ► Serial monitoring of these parameters can be used as an adjunct in the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease outcome in the vervet monkey model.