Introduction Infection of equids with Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei) ssp. is of socioeconomic importance across sub-Saharan Africa as the disease often progresses to cause fatal meningoencephalitis. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) has been developed as a cost-effective molecular diagnostic test and is potentially applicable for use in field-based laboratories. Part I Threshold levels for T. brucei ssp. detection by LAMP were determined using whole equine blood specimens spiked with known concentrations of parasites. Results were compared to OIE antemortem gold standard of T. brucei-PCR (TBR-PCR). Results I Threshold for detection of T. brucei ssp. on extracted DNA from whole blood was 1 parasite/ ml blood for LAMP and TBR-PCR, and there was excellent agreement (14/15) between tests at high (1 x 10 3 /ml) concentrations of parasites. Detection threshold was 100 parasites/ml using LAMP on whole blood (LWB). Threshold for LWB improved to 10 parasites/ml with detergent included. Performance was excellent for LAMP at high (1 x 10 3 /ml) concentrations of parasites (15/15, 100%) but was variable at lower concentrations. Agreement between tests was weak to moderate, with the highest for TBR-PCR and LAMP on DNA extracted from whole blood (Cohen's kappa 0.95, 95% CI 0.64-1.00). Part II A prospective cross-sectional study of working equids meeting clinical criteria for trypanosomiasis was undertaken in The Gambia. LAMP was evaluated against subsequent TBR-PCR.

Summary The following case report documents the investigation and progression of two cases of hepatic failure and hyperferraemia in Shetland ponies in Scotland exposed to high environmental levels of iron in groundwater, and to the authors’ knowledge describes the first use of deferoxamine in adult ponies. The importance of consideration of serum iron levels in cases of equine hepatic disease is highlighted and it is suggested that reduction in serum iron by phlebotomy or treatment with deferoxamine may be beneficial in cases displaying hyperferraemia.