Trypanosoma brucei, T. congolense and T. vivax infections in horses on a farm in Kenya.
Abstract: Equines are particularly susceptible to infection with Trypanosoma evansi and T. brucei, but rarely is natural T. congolense and T. vivax infection seen in horses. An outbreak of trypanosomosis occurred in a herd of horses used for patrolling the pineapple fields on the Del Monte Farm, Thika, Kenya initially involving 6 horses. On subsequent screening of the entire group, T. brucei, T. congolense and T. vivax infections were detected in 16 of the 35 horses. The tests used for diagnosis included microscopic examination of stained blood smears, buffy coat technique, mouse inoculation and antigen detection enzyme immunoassay (antigen ELISA).
Publication Date: 1994-05-01 PubMed ID: 7941037DOI: 10.1007/BF02239908Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article focuses on an outbreak of trypanosomosis, a parasitic disease, in a group of horses on a farm in Kenya. It reveals that 16 out of 35 horses were infected by three different types of Trypanosoma.
Introduction to the Research
- The research was about an outbreak of trypanosomosis, a parasitic disease, in horses on a farm in Thika, Kenya.
- The infection, typically found in animals and cattle, was noted to have impacted a herd of horses used to patrol Del Monte Farm’s pineapple fields.
The Outbreak
- The initial outbreak involved 6 horses, and upon subsequent screening of the entire group, Trypanosoma brucei, T. congolense, and T. vivax infections were detected in 16 out of the total 35 horses.
- This occurrence is quite rare, as horses are generally susceptible to T. evansi and T. brucei but seldom to T. congolense and T. vivax.
Diagnosis and Detection Process
- The team employed a variety of tests to diagnose and confirm the infection.
- Methods included the microscopic examination of stained blood smears, buffy coat technique, mouse inoculation, and an antigen detection enzyme immunoassay, known as antigen ELISA.
Interpretation and Implications of the Research
- The detection of these uncommon infections in horses suggest an expansion of the spectrum of hosts for these parasites.
- This research points towards the necessity of advanced screening and precautionary measures to prevent and manage outbreaks like this in the future, especially in regions where these parasites are prevalent.
- Moreover, these findings can prompt similar studies and investigations in other regions to establish the prevalence, host range, and behavior of these parasites.
Cite This Article
APA
Kihurani DO, Nantulya VM, Mbiuki SM, Mogoa E, Nguhiu-Mwangi J, Mbithi PM.
(1994).
Trypanosoma brucei, T. congolense and T. vivax infections in horses on a farm in Kenya.
Trop Anim Health Prod, 26(2), 95-101.
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02239908 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Diminazene / analogs & derivatives
- Diminazene / therapeutic use
- Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horses
- Kenya / epidemiology
- Trypanocidal Agents / therapeutic use
- Trypanosoma brucei brucei
- Trypanosoma congolense
- Trypanosoma vivax
- Trypanosomiasis, African / drug therapy
- Trypanosomiasis, African / epidemiology
- Trypanosomiasis, African / parasitology
- Trypanosomiasis, African / veterinary
References
This article includes 7 references
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- Nantulya VM, Lindqvist KJ, Stevenson P, Mwangi EK. Application of a monoclonal antibody-based antigen detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (antigen ELISA) for field diagnosis of bovine trypanosomiasis at Nguruman, Kenya.. Ann Trop Med Parasitol 1992 Jun;86(3):225-30.
- Nantulya VM. Trypanosomiasis in domestic animals: the problems of diagnosis.. Rev Sci Tech 1990 Jun;9(2):357-67.
- Brightwell R, Dransfield RD, Kyorku C. Development of a low-cost tsetse trap and odour baits for Glossina pallidipes and G. longipennis in Kenya.. Med Vet Entomol 1991 Apr;5(2):153-64.
- Murray M, Murray PK, McIntyre WI. An improved parasitological technique for the diagnosis of African trypanosomiasis.. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 1977;71(4):325-6.
- Nantulya VM. An antigen detection enzyme immunoassay for the diagnosis of rhodesiense sleeping sickness.. Parasite Immunol 1989 Jan;11(1):69-75.
- Masake RA, Nantulya VM. Sensitivity of an antigen detection enzyme immunoassay for diagnosis of Trypanosoma congolense infections in goats and cattle.. J Parasitol 1991 Apr;77(2):231-6.
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Fetene E, Leta S, Regassa F, Büscher P. Global distribution, host range and prevalence of Trypanosoma vivax: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. Parasit Vectors 2021 Jan 25;14(1):80.
- Giordani F, Morrison LJ, Rowan TG, DE Koning HP, Barrett MP. The animal trypanosomiases and their chemotherapy: a review.. Parasitology 2016 Dec;143(14):1862-1889.
- Da Silva AS, Garcia Perez HA, Costa MM, França RT, De Gasperi D, Zanette RA, Amado JA, Lopes ST, Teixeira MM, Monteiro SG. Horses naturally infected by Trypanosoma vivax in southern Brazil.. Parasitol Res 2011 Jan;108(1):23-30.
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