A PCR-based survey of animal African trypanosomosis and selected piroplasm parasites of cattle and goats in Zambia

Abstract

We screened cattle and goats from the districts of Chama, Monze and Mumbwa in Zambia for animal African trypanosomes, Babesia bigemina and Theileria parva using PCRs; 38.1% of the samples tested positive for at least one of the parasite species. The most common parasite was Trypanosoma vivax (19.8%). Its incidence was significantly higher in goats than in cattle, (P<0.05). B. bigemina was found in samples from all the three areas, making it the most widespread of the parasites in Zambia. Among the tested samples, 12.0% of the positive samples were mixed infections. There were significant differences in the infection rates of T. vivax (Mumbwa had a significantly higher infection rate [39.6%, P<0.0001]), Th. parva (Monze had the only cases [P<0.0004]) and B. bigemina (Monze had a significantly higher infection rate [40.5%, P<0.0001]). According to the hematocrit values, the packed cell volume (%) among the cattle with mixed infections was significantly lower than that of the other cattle. The presence of multiple parasite species and mixed infections among the Zambian cattle and goat populations is of both clinical and economic importance to livestock farming. The absence of trypanosomosis among the samples from Monze can be attributed to tsetse eradication efforts that took place around Lake Kariba. This shows that the prevention and control of these parasitic diseases can have a significant impact on the disease status, which can translate directly into the improvement of the livestock sector in Zambia.

Challenges in the Diagnostic Performance of Parasitological and Molecular Tests in the Surveillance of African Trypanosomiasis in Eastern Zambia

“…However, most remote areas of Africa do not have the resources to facilitate the use of such molecular techniques [ 9 , 10 ]. Molecular tests have the ability to differentiate trypanosome species and subspecies through the use of specific primers [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Ribosomal RNA Internal Transcribed Spacers (ITS)-PCR can be used for the detection of both AAT and HAT, but its use in rural settings of Africa is limited by high costs and the need for trained personnel [ 15 , 16 ].…”

Global Distribution, Host Range and Prevalence of Trypanosoma Vivax: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The variability can be attributed to diagnostic tests used and the species of the animal infected. [9,97,150,175,193,199,204,246] Footnote…”

“…The authors declare that they have no competing interests. [4,5,48,171,173-177,180,182,184,185,49,187-196,50,197-200,202,203,205-208,51,209-212,214-21 227,229,230,232,235,53,236,238-243,246-248,54,249-258,57,259,261-269,58,270,271,273,274,276-281,59,282,283,6,61,62,64-66,68-71,73,12,74-78,80-83,85,14,86-88,90-95,99,40,101-103,105,106,108,109,111,113,114,44,116,118,122,123,125-127,129-131,45,132,134-136,138 [6,7,128,137,140,143,144,150,158,168,179,193,55,197,201,204,211,213,218,221,225,234,237,57,239 [7,57,245,246,67,68,133,158,168,197,198,201 [6,7,128,134,137,140,143,144,…”

Heterogeneity in Prevalence of Bovine Trypanosomosis and its Associated Risk Factors in Pastoral and Agro Pastoral Communities Surrounding Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda.

“…The nding is consistent with other previous studies by (Biryomumaisho et al, 2013) (Waisswa, C., Olaho-Mukani, W., Katunguka-Rwakishaya, 2003) and (C. Waiswa et al, 2006) in Uganda that reported similar ndings. The cause for T. vivax being the most prevalent is due to the fact that unlike other trypanosomes, it can also be transmitted non cyclically (mechanically) by other biting ies (Musinguzi et al, 2016). Another possible explanation for the predominance of T. vivax compared to other trypanosome species might be that T.vivax has a shorter lifecycle in the tsetse y proboscis Gardiner & Wilson, (1987), Jones & Dávila, (2001) Jefferies et al, (1987 and a quick multiplication of parastaemia in their host which could led to high detection in cattle (Osório et al, 2008).…”