Abstract
Trypanosomosis is a vector-borne, tropical disease that causes mortality and morbidity in livestock and humans. In this study we investigated the risk factors for trypanosome infection in cattle in the Maasai Steppe of northern Tanzania. We assessed the influence of age, sex, herd size and history of treatment against trypanosomosis as risk factors of trypanosome infection. Cattle blood samples were collected from 150 cattle in three villages in the vicinity of Tarangire National Park, which acts as a reservoir of tsetse flies, the trypanosome vector. Parasite species were identified using a nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (n-PCR). Smaller herd sizes, young age (1-2 years), and male sex significantly increased the risk of trypanosome infections. Efforts to control trypanosome infection should be strategically based on location and season while considering age, treatment and herd size as risk factors.
Highlights
Northern Tanzania, in particular the Maasai Steppe, is an area where African Animal Trypanosomosis (AAT) is endemic amongst the cattle of pastoralists [1,2] due to the presence of wildlife and high tsetse fly abundance [3,4,5,6]
Our study focused on the Maasai Steppe, which is dominated by transhumant Maasai pastoralists, who move with their cattle to search for pasture and water
This study focused on assessing the influence of sex, age, treatment history against trypanosomosis, previous infection, and herd size on trypanosome infection rates in cattle in three villages near a protected area in the Maasai Steppe
Summary
Northern Tanzania, in particular the Maasai Steppe, is an area where African Animal Trypanosomosis (AAT) is endemic amongst the cattle of pastoralists [1,2] due to the presence of wildlife and high tsetse fly abundance [3,4,5,6]. Depending on the relative severity of the disease, the impacts include: reduced herd fertility, increased abortions, low birth weights, slow calf growth, reduced milk yield [7] and beef quality. This results in increased treatment costs and low revenue for the owners, and can substantially impact rural livelihoods [7]. Different Trypanosome species are responsible for infections in cattle, small stock, and in humans. Trypanosoma congolense, T. brucei and T. vivax cause trypanosomosis in cattle while humans are infected only by two subspecies: T. brucei rhodesiense (common in East Africa) and T. brucei gambiense (common in West and Central Africa). In Kenya it was observed the prevalence of trypanosome infection in cattle goes up to 41% for T. vivax which is infective in cattle [8]
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