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BMC veterinary research2008; 4; 7; doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-4-7

Trypanosomosis in The Gambia: prevalence in working horses and donkeys detected by whole genome amplification and PCR, and evidence for interactions between trypanosome species.

Abstract: The Gambia has an increasing population of equidae largely used for agriculture and transportation. A review of cases at The Gambian Horse and Donkey Trust (GHDT) indicated that a common reason for presentation is a poorly defined medical condition often attributed to trypanosomosis. There are few reports describing the prevalence or the range of clinical signs associated with infection with different species of trypanosomes in horses and donkeys, but given the importance of these animals, the role of trypanosomosis requires investigation. Results: In total 241 animals from the Central River Division in The Gambia (183 horses and 58 donkeys) were screened using Whole Genome Amplification (WGA) followed by trypanosome species identification using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results indicated overall trypanosome prevalence of 91%; with an infection rate of 31% for Trypanosoma congolense Savannah, 87% for Trypanosoma vivax and 18% for Trypanosoma brucei sp. Multiple species were present in 43% of infections. Microscopy had a good specificity (100%) and positive predictive value (100%) for trypanosome detection, but the sensitivity (20%) and negative predictive value (10.5%) were low relative to PCR-based diagnosis. Infection with T congolense showed the greatest negative effect on packed cell volume (PCV), while infection with T. brucei sp also had a significant, although lesser, negative effect on PCV. In addition, cases positive by microscopy were associated with significantly lower PCV. However, concurrent infection with T. vivax appeared to cause less effect on PCV, compared to animals infected with T. congolense alone. Conclusions: The prevalence of Trypanosomosis was high in both horses and donkeys. Infection with T. congolense appeared to have the greatest clinical significance, while T. vivax infection may be of limited clinical significance in this population. Indeed, there is evidence of T. vivax co-infection ameliorating the pathology caused by T. congolense. WGA and PCR allowed a more comprehensive analysis of field infections with the detection of infections below the threshold of microscopy, and provided indications of interactions between parasite species that would otherwise remain undetected. The study raises important questions about the epidemiology of trypanosome infection in relation to disease that require a full scale longitudinal analysis.
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Publication Date: 2008-02-20 PubMed ID: 18289378PubMed Central: PMC2263031DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-4-7Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study investigates the prevalence of Trypanosomosis – a disease caused by parasites, in working horses and donkeys in The Gambia. The researchers found a high prevalence of the disease and noted that concurrent infections of different parasites may have varying impacts on the animals’ health.

Background and Objectives

  • In The Gambia, working horses and donkeys are commonly used in agriculture and transportation. However, a poorly defined medical condition attributed to Trypanosomosis is often the reason for cases presented at The Gambian Horse and Donkey Trust (GHDT). This signifies the need to examine the role and prevalence of Trypanosomosis in this population.
  • The study aims to understand the prevalence of Trypanosomosis in these animals and assess the range of symptoms associated with infection from various species of Trypanosomes.

Methods and Results

  • Researchers screened 241 animals (183 horses and 58 donkeys) from the Central River Division in The Gambia using Whole Genome Amplification (WGA), followed by trypanosome species identification using a technique known as polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
  • The results suggested an overall trypanosome prevalence of 91%. Within this, the infection rate was 31% for Trypanosoma congolense Savannah, 87% for Trypanosoma vivax, and 18% for Trypanosoma brucei sp. In 43% of the cases, multiple species were detected.
  • Microscopic analysis had good specificity and positive predictive value for trypanosome detection but showed low sensitivity and negative predictive value compared to PCR-based diagnosis.
  • The study found infection with T. congolense to have the most significant negative effect on the packed cell volume (PCV)– a measure of the animal’s general health. Infections with T. brucei sp also negatively impacted PCV but to a lesser extent.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The study concluded that Trypanosomosis prevalence was high in both horses and donkeys in the region. Specifically, the T. congolense parasite appeared to have the greatest clinical significance. T. vivax infections were found to have a limited effect on the animals’ health, suggesting that co-infection might reduce the impact of T. congolense.
  • The efficient detection methods used, WGA and PCR, enabled a comprehensive analysis of field infections, unraveling infections below the threshold of microscopy, and offered insights into species interactions.
  • The findings highlight the importance of continued epidemiological investigations to understand the complexities of trypanosome infection, its impact on animal health, and need for a full-scale longitudinal analysis.

Cite This Article

APA
Pinchbeck GL, Morrison LJ, Tait A, Langford J, Meehan L, Jallow S, Jallow J, Jallow A, Christley RM. (2008). Trypanosomosis in The Gambia: prevalence in working horses and donkeys detected by whole genome amplification and PCR, and evidence for interactions between trypanosome species. BMC Vet Res, 4, 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-6148-4-7

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 4
Pages: 7

Researcher Affiliations

Pinchbeck, Gina L
  • Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK. ginap@liv.ac.uk
Morrison, Liam J
    Tait, Andy
      Langford, Joanna
        Meehan, Lucinda
          Jallow, Saloum
            Jallow, Jibril
              Jallow, Amadou
                Christley, Robert M

                  MeSH Terms

                  • Animals
                  • Cross-Sectional Studies
                  • DNA, Protozoan / chemistry
                  • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
                  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / chemistry
                  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / genetics
                  • Gambia / epidemiology
                  • Hematocrit / veterinary
                  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
                  • Horses
                  • Linear Models
                  • Parasitemia / epidemiology
                  • Parasitemia / parasitology
                  • Parasitemia / veterinary
                  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
                  • Predictive Value of Tests
                  • Prevalence
                  • Seasons
                  • Sensitivity and Specificity
                  • Trypanosoma / genetics
                  • Trypanosoma / isolation & purification
                  • Trypanosomiasis / epidemiology
                  • Trypanosomiasis / parasitology
                  • Trypanosomiasis / veterinary

                  Grant Funding

                  • Wellcome Trust

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