Abstract
Background: African animal trypanosomiasis (AAT) is caused mainly by Trypanosoma congolense, T. vivax, and T. brucei brucei and is the major constraint for livestock productivity in Sub-Saharan African countries. Information about animal trypanosomiasis status in Ivory Coast is missing, especially regarding molecular epidemiology. Therefore, this study intended to apply molecular tools to identify and characterize trypanosomes in Ivory Coast for sustainable control. Methods: 363 cattle blood samples were collected from Ferkessedougou Region in northern Ivory Coast in 2012. Buffy coat technique (BCT) and species-specific PCR assays were used to detect trypanosome species. Results: Out of 363 cattle examined with BCT, 33 were found positive with all trypanosomes species accounting for an average of 9.09% prevalence whereas polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using species-specific primers showed that 81 out of 363 cattle were infected with trypanosomes with an overall prevalence of 22.31%. Trypanosoma congolense savanah type, T. Vivax and T. brucei sl. accounted for 28.39%, 49.38% and 23.45% of the infection rate respectively. No infection with T. congo forest type was detected. T. vivax infection was the most prevalence in the area investigated compared to the two other trypanosome species. Mixed infections with different trypanosomes species were detected accounting for 7.32% of prevalence. Regarding sexrelated prevalence, male cattles were slightly more infected than female but the difference was not significant. Conclusion: Our results showed that there was a high prevalence of AAT in livestock in Ferkessedougou Area. There is therefore a need to strengthen control policies and institute measures that help prevent the spread of the parasites for sustainable control of animal trypanosome in this area.
Highlights
Animal health and livestock production in Sub-Saharan Africa suffer from high prevalence of trypanosomiasis with estimated annual losses due to direct and indirect consequences of the disease nearby billions of dollars [1]
Despite campaigns towards trypanosome eradication in Sub-Saharan Africa, there is a lack of research using molecular screening of trypanosomes in Ivory Coast and the latest information about the prevalence of animal trypanosomiasis (AAT) dates about more than two decades and further drug resistance is described [4] [5]
Trypanosomes were check based on Buffy Coat Technique (BCT) [6]: Blood samples from the Ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) tubes were transferred into capillary tubes
Summary
Animal health and livestock production in Sub-Saharan Africa suffer from high prevalence of trypanosomiasis with estimated annual losses due to direct and indirect consequences of the disease nearby billions of dollars [1].Regarding the burden and lost occasioned by animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT), the African Union initiated a regional control strategy, the pan Africa tsetse and trypanosomiasis eradication campaign (PATTEC) [2]. PCR assays are powerful marker tools, species-specific and sensitive, for molecular identification and diagnosis of trypanosome species in their mammal hosts and vectors to assess the real prevalence and correlate burden in a given country or region. Despite campaigns towards trypanosome eradication in Sub-Saharan Africa, there is a lack of research using molecular screening of trypanosomes in Ivory Coast and the latest information about the prevalence of AAT dates about more than two decades and further drug resistance is described [4] [5]. Information on the status of animal trypanosomiasis in Ivory Coast needs to be updated especially in the Northern part which is an important livestock area. African animal trypanosomiasis (AAT) is caused mainly by Trypanosoma congolense, T. vivax, and T. brucei brucei and is the major constraint for livestock productivity in Sub-Saharan African countries. T. vivax infection was the most prevalence in the area investigated compared to the two other trypanosome species.
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