Animal African Trypanosomosis in Sub-Saharan Africa and Beyond African Borders

Abstract

This chapter mainly focuses attention on trypanosome infections occurring in domestic animal species, with particular emphasis on those in the African continent. Specific trypanosome species cause three major disease syndromes within Africa namely nagana, surra and Dourine. Nagana, mainly affecting domestic ruminants, pigs and pets in sub-Saharan Africa, is caused by Trypanosoma congolense, Trypanosoma vivax, Trypanosoma brucei subspecies as well as Trypanosoma simiae, primarily transmitted by tsetse flies (Glossina species). Surra, caused by Trypanosoma evansi, mainly affects camels, horses, ruminants, pigs and dogs in North and East Africa. Beyond the African borders, surra occurs in the Middle East, Asia and Latin America. Unlike other trypanosome syndromes, Dourine is non-vector borne, but rather transmitted through coitus from stallions to mares and vice versa. It occurs worldwide wherever horses are reared in large numbers. Thus non-vector-borne trypanosomes have a wider geographical distribution beyond the African continent as they may also be spread through international trade.