A high prevalence of mixed trypanosome Infections In Tsetse flies in Sinfra, Cote d'Ivoire, detected by DNA amplification

Abstract

The prevalence of various species and subgroups of trypanosomes in the Sinfra area of Cote d' I voir was determined using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Using this technique to amplify specific satellite DNA, targets, it was possible. To identify developmental-stage trypanosomes in the midguts and the proboscides of tsetse without expansion .of parasite populations. The predominant tsetse species in the area was Glossina palpalis, which G pallicera and G. nigrofusca were also present. Microscopical examination of 811 non- teneral flies revealed an infection rate of 14% in midguts and or proboscides. Three subgroups of Trypanosoma congolense (Savannah, Forest & Kilifi), T. simiae, T. gadfreyi, West African T vivax and T brucei ssp. were identified using PCR. T. congolense Forest was the most abundant of the Nannomonas trypanosomes approximately 40 % of all infections were mixed, and there was a significantly higher prevalence of apparently mature T brucei ssp. trypanosomes than has previously been reported. The present study demonstrates the PCR facilitates the easy Identification of mature trypanosome infections in tsetse, providing a reliable estimation of trypanosomiasis challenge.