Molecular epidemiology of Animal African Trypanosomosis in southwest Burkina Faso
Authors: Hounyèmè Robert Eustache , Kaboré Jacques , Gimonneau Geoffrey , Somda Martin Bienvenu , Salou Ernest , Missihoun Antoine Abel , Bengaly Zakaria , Jamonneau Vincent , Boulangé Alain 
Published: December 2021

Background

Animal African Trypanosomosis (AAT) is a parasitic disease of livestock that has a major socio-economic impact in the affected areas. It is caused by several species of uniflagellate extracellular protists of the genus Trypanosoma mainly transmitted by tsetse flies: T. congolense, T. vivax and T. brucei brucei. In Burkina Faso, AAT hampers the proper economic development of the southwestern part of the country, which is yet the best watered area particularly conducive to agriculture and animal production. It was therefore important to investigate the extend of the infection in order to better control the disease. The objective of the present study was to assess the prevalence of trypanosome infections and collect data on the presence of tsetse flies.

Methods

Buffy coat, Trypanosoma species-specific PCR, Indirect ELISA Trypanosoma sp and trypanolysis techniques were used on 1898 samples collected. An entomological survey was also carried out.

Results

The parasitological prevalence of AAT was 1.1%, and all observed parasites were T. vivax. In contrast, the molecular prevalence was 23%, of which T. vivax was predominant (89%) followed by T. congolense (12%) and T. brucei s.l. (7.3%) with a sizable proportion as mixed infections (9.1%). T. brucei gambiense, responsible of sleeping sickness in humans, was not detected. The serological prevalence reached 49%. Once again T. vivax predominated (86.2%), but followed by T. brucei (9.6%) and T. congolense (4.2%), while 34.6% of positive samples tested positive for at least two trypanosome species. Seven samples, from six cattle and one pig, were found positive by trypanolysis. The density per trap of Glossina tachinoides and G. palpalis gambiensis was about three flies.

Conclusions/Significance

Overall, our study showed a high prevalence of trypanosome infection in the area, pointing out an ongoing inadequacy of control measures.

Authors summary

In Burkina Faso, like in most countries of sub-Saharan Africa, Animal African Trypanosomosis (AAT) is hampering economic development. It was therefore important to investigate the extent of trypanosome infections after years of control. This study examined circulating trypanosomes in domestic animals using parasitological, molecular and serological tools in southwest Burkina Faso. The prevalence levels observed show that the known epidemiological situation in the region has not really changed. The trypanosome species usually found in the area such as T. congolense, T. vivax and T. brucei s.l. have remained the same, with a stronger presence of T. vivax. The low occurrence of tsetse fly and the predominance of T. vivax attests to the role of the mechanical vectors in maintaining the disease. Although no cases of T. brucei gambiense infection was encountered in the animals examined, trypanolysis tests suggest that there are contact cases in this historical focus of sleeping sickness. Efforts are therefore necessary to reduce or even eliminate the trypanosome burden, and the data provided by this study can assist the decision making.