A high prevalence of mixed trypanosome infections in tsetse flies in Sinfra, Côte d'Ivoire, detected by DNA amplification

Abstract

The prevalence of various species and subgroups of trypanosomes in the Sinfra area of Côte d'Ivoire 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, while 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. godfreyi, 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 that PCR facilitates the easy identification of mature trypanosome infections in tsetse, providing a reliable estimation of trypanosomiasis challenge.

Selective recovery of the cultivation-prone components from mixed trypanosomatid infections: a case of several novel species isolated from Neotropical Heteroptera

“…Application of PCR-based techniques showed that mixed infection with up to four different salivarian trypanosomes in the same insect vector are possible (Stevens et al, 1994;Masiga et al, 1996;Jamonneau et al, 2004), and multiple cases of inter-and intraspecies mixed infections have also been reported in animals (Reifenberg et al, 1997;Jamonneau et al, 2004;Njiokou et al, 2004). A selective effect of isolation and cultivation procedures was proposed as being responsible for an apparently low genetic diversity of Trypanosoma brucei (sensu lato) isolated from natural population and infected individuals (Dukes et al, 1991;Stevens et al, 1994;Jamonneau et al, 2002Jamonneau et al, , 2004).…”

Parasitological examination for Trypanosoma theileri infection of cattle from Quirino Province, Philippines

“…Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been proven to be more sensitive than BPE in detecting trypanosome genomic DNA in the animal or vector host. 20 According to Masiga et al 21 and Solano et al, 20 PCR is sensitive enough to be able to detect even one trypanosome genomic DNA per mL of blood. Furthermore, DNA-based methods for diagnosis have generally facilitated epidemiological studies of trypanosomes.…”

About Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, the causative agent of the chronic form of Human African Trypanosomiasis: some findings and proposals

“…Thus, knowledge of contact between vectors and human or animal was improved, leading to a better understanding of the risk of transmission of HAT. This was confirmed by the identification of trypanosomes in vector (Masiga et al, 1996). Some operational tools may improve HAT control, and new technologies allowed to explain some aspects of the epidemiology of HAT, through a better knowledge of the biology and taxonomy of trypanosomes.…”