Abstract
BackgroundAfrican trypanosomiases are vector-borne diseases that affect humans and livestock in sub-Saharan Africa. Although data have been collected on tsetse fauna as well as trypanosome infections in tsetse flies and mammals in foci of sleeping sickness in Chad, the situation of tsetse fly-transmitted trypanosomes remains unknown in several tsetse-infested areas of Chad. This study was designed to fill this epidemiological knowledge gap by determining the tsetse fauna as well as the trypanosomes infecting tsetse flies in the area of Lake Iro in southeastern Chad.MethodsTsetse flies were trapped along the Salamat River using biconical traps. The proboscis and tsetse body were removed from each fly. DNA was extracted from the proboscis using proteinase K and phosphate buffer and from the tsetse body using Chelex 5%. Tsetse flies were identified by amplifying and sequencing the cytochrome c oxydase I gene of each tsetse fly. Trypanosome species were detected by amplifying and sequencing the internal transcribed spacer 1 of infecting trypanosomes.ResultsA total of 617 tsetse flies were trapped; the apparent density of flies per trap per day was 2. 6. Of the trapped flies, 359 were randomly selected for the molecular identification and for the detection of infecting trypanosomes. Glossina morsitans submorsitans (96.1%) was the dominant tsetse fly species followed by G. fuscipes fuscipes (3.1%) and G. tachinoides (0.8%). Four trypanosome species, including Trypanosoma vivax, T. simiae, T. godfreyi and T. congolense savannah, were detected. Both single infection (56.7%) and mixed infections of trypanosomes (4.6%) were detected in G. m. submorsitans. The single infection included T. simiae (20.5%), T. congolense savannah (16.43%), T. vivax (11.7%) and T. godfreyi (9.8%). The trypanosome infection rate was 61.4% in G. m. submorsitans, 72.7% in G. f. fuscipes and 66.6% in G. tachinoides. Trypanosome infections were more prevalent in tsetse bodies (40.6%) than in the proboscis (16.3%).ConclusionThis study revealed the presence of different tsetse species and a diversity of trypanosomes pathogenic to livestock in the area of Lake Iro. The results highlight the risks and constraints that animal African trypanosomiasis pose to livestock breeding and the importance of assessing trypanosome infections in livestock in this area.Graphical
Highlights
African trypanosomiases are vector-borne diseases that affect humans and livestock in sub-Saharan Africa
Glossina morsitans submorsitans (96.1%) was the dominant tsetse fly species followed by G. fuscipes fuscipes (3.1%) and G. tachinoides (0.8%)
The remaining body and the proboscis of each tsetse fly were subjected to molecular identification of different trypanosomes
Summary
African trypanosomiases are vector-borne diseases that affect humans and livestock in sub-Saharan Africa. African trypanosomiases are parasitic diseases that are widely spread throughout sub-Saharan Africa They are caused by African trypanosomes and induce morbidity. In about 38 sub-Saharan African countries with a high potential of producing meat, milk and food crops, AAT is recognized as an important constraint to agriculture, livestock production, food security and animal health. Achieving the PATTEC goal requires updating knowledge on tsetse distribution and trypanosome infections in both tsetse flies and mammals in different ecological settings. Knowledge of these factors is a pre-requirement for designing and implementing effective control operations against AAT since it could help to identify and map zones presenting high transmission risks where control operations must be deployed [7]
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