FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Vet Res / Trypanosomosis in The Gambia: prevalence in working horses a...
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.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2008-02-20 PubMed ID: 18289378PubMed Central: PMC2263031DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-4-7Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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

                  References

                  This article includes 25 references
                  1. Desquesnes M, Dia ML. Trypanosoma vivax: mechanical transmission in cattle by one of the most common African tabanids, Atylotus agrestis.. Exp Parasitol 2003 Jan-Feb;103(1-2):35-43.
                    doi: 10.1016/S0014-4894(03)00067-5pubmed: 12810044google scholar: lookup
                  2. Mattioli RC, Zinsstag J, Pfister K. Frequency of trypanosomosis and gastrointestinal parasites in draught donkeys in The Gambia in relation to animal husbandry.. Trop Anim Health Prod 1994 May;26(2):102-8.
                    doi: 10.1007/BF02239909pubmed: 7941024google scholar: lookup
                  3. Snow WF, Wacher TJ, Rawlings P. Observations on the prevalence of trypanosomosis in small ruminants, equines and cattle, in relation to tsetse challenge, in The Gambia.. Vet Parasitol 1996 Nov 1;66(1-2):1-11.
                    doi: 10.1016/S0304-4017(96)01003-5pubmed: 8988551google scholar: lookup
                  4. Dhollander S, Jallow A, Mbodge K, Kora S, Sanneh M, Gaye M, Bos J, Leak S, Berkvens D, Geerts S. Equine trypanosomosis in the Central River Division of The Gambia: a study of veterinary gate-clinic consultation records.. Prev Vet Med 2006 Aug 17;75(3-4):152-62.
                    pubmed: 16814418doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2005.11.009google scholar: lookup
                  5. Faye D, Pereira de Almeida PJ, Goossens B, Osaer S, Ndao M, Berkvens D, Speybroeck N, Nieberding F, Geerts S. Prevalence and incidence of trypanosomosis in horses and donkeys in the Gambia.. Vet Parasitol 2001 Nov 5;101(2):101-14.
                    doi: 10.1016/S0304-4017(01)00503-9pubmed: 11587839google scholar: lookup
                  6. 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.
                    doi: 10.1016/0035-9203(77)90110-9pubmed: 563634google scholar: lookup
                  7. Masiga DK, Smyth AJ, Hayes P, Bromidge TJ, Gibson WC. Sensitive detection of trypanosomes in tsetse flies by DNA amplification.. Int J Parasitol 1992 Nov;22(7):909-18.
                    doi: 10.1016/0020-7519(92)90047-Opubmed: 1459784google scholar: lookup
                  8. Cox A, Tilley A, McOdimba F, Fyfe J, Eisler M, Hide G, Welburn S. A PCR based assay for detection and differentiation of African trypanosome species in blood.. Exp Parasitol 2005 Sep;111(1):24-9.
                    doi: 10.1016/j.exppara.2005.03.014pubmed: 16054487google scholar: lookup
                  9. Desquesnes M, Dávila AM. Applications of PCR-based tools for detection and identification of animal trypanosomes: a review and perspectives.. Vet Parasitol 2002 Nov 11;109(3-4):213-31.
                    doi: 10.1016/S0304-4017(02)00270-4pubmed: 12423934google scholar: lookup
                  10. Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust
                  11. Morrison LJ, McCormack G, Sweeney L, Likeufack AC, Truc P, Turner CM, Tait A, MacLeod A. Use of multiple displacement amplification to increase the detection and genotyping of trypanosoma species samples immobilized on FTA filters.. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2007 Jun;76(6):1132-7.
                    pmc: PMC2067248pubmed: 17556624
                  12. Connor RJ. Infectious Diseases of Livestock. In African Animal Trypanosomiases Edited by Coetzer, J A W, Thomson G R and Tustin R C Oxford, Oxford University Press. 1994.
                  13. Maclennan KJR. The epizootiology of Trypanosomiasis in livestock in West Africa. In The African Trypanosomiases Edited by Mulligan HW London Allen and Unwin; 1970. pp. 751–773.
                  14. Stephen LE. Clinical manifestations of the Trypanosomiasis in livestock and other domestic animals. In The African Trypanosomiases Edited by Mulligan HW London Allen and Unwin; 1970. pp. 774–794.
                  15. Stephen LE, Mackenzie CP. Experimental Trypanosoma vivax infection in the horse. Veterinary Record 1959;71:527.
                  16. Wellde BT, Chumo DA, Adoyo M, Kovatch RM, Mwongela GN, Opiyo EA. Haemorrhagic syndrome in cattle associated with Trypanosoma vivax infection.. Trop Anim Health Prod 1983 May;15(2):95-102.
                    doi: 10.1007/BF02239803pubmed: 6603039google scholar: lookup
                  17. Morrison WI, Wells PW, Moloo SK, Paris J, Murray M. Interference in the establishment of superinfections with Trypanosoma congolense in cattle.. J Parasitol 1982 Oct;68(5):755-64.
                    doi: 10.2307/3280980pubmed: 7131183google scholar: lookup
                  18. Dwinger RH, Luckins AG, Murray M, Rae P, Moloo SK. Interference between different serodemes of Trypanosoma congolense in the establishment of superinfections in goats following transmission by tsetse.. Parasite Immunol 1986 Jul;8(4):293-305.
                    doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.1986.tb00847.xpubmed: 3748602google scholar: lookup
                  19. Dwinger RH, Murray M, Luckins AG, Rae PF, Moloo SK. Interference in the establishment of tsetse-transmitted Trypanosoma congolense, T. brucei or T. vivax superinfections in goats already infected with T. congolense or T. vivax.. Vet Parasitol 1989 Jan;30(3):177-89.
                    doi: 10.1016/0304-4017(89)90013-7pubmed: 2705284google scholar: lookup
                  20. Pritchard JC, Barr AR, Whay HR. Validity of a behavioural measure of heat stress and a skin tent test for dehydration in working horses and donkeys.. Equine Vet J 2006 Sep;38(5):433-8.
                    doi: 10.2746/042516406778400646pubmed: 16986604google scholar: lookup
                  21. Anon. Body condition scoring of horses and donkeys. Annex C and D, Equine Industry Welfare Guidelines Compendium for Horses, Ponies and Donkeys. 2002.
                  22. Lasken RS, Egholm M. Whole genome amplification: abundant supplies of DNA from precious samples or clinical specimens.. Trends Biotechnol 2003 Dec;21(12):531-5.
                    doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2003.09.010pubmed: 14624861google scholar: lookup
                  23. MacLeod A, Tweedie A, McLellan S, Taylor S, Hall N, Berriman M, El-Sayed NM, Hope M, Turner CM, Tait A. The genetic map and comparative analysis with the physical map of Trypanosoma brucei.. Nucleic Acids Res 2005;33(21):6688-93.
                    doi: 10.1093/nar/gki980pmc: PMC1297707pubmed: 16314301google scholar: lookup
                  24. Morlais I, Ravel S, Grébaut P, Dumas V, Cuny G. New molecular marker for Trypanosoma (Duttonella) vivax identification.. Acta Trop 2001 Dec 21;80(3):207-13.
                    doi: 10.1016/S0001-706X(01)00160-7pubmed: 11700177google scholar: lookup
                  25. Njiru ZK, Constantine CC, Guya S, Crowther J, Kiragu JM, Thompson RC, Dávila AM. The use of ITS1 rDNA PCR in detecting pathogenic African trypanosomes.. Parasitol Res 2005 Feb;95(3):186-92.
                    doi: 10.1007/s00436-004-1267-5pubmed: 15619129google scholar: lookup

                  Citations

                  This article has been cited 18 times.
                  1. McWilliam KR. Cell-cell communication in African trypanosomes.. Microbiology (Reading) 2023 Aug;169(8).
                    doi: 10.1099/mic.0.001388pubmed: 37643128google scholar: lookup
                  2. Morrison LJ, Steketee PC, Tettey MD, Matthews KR. Pathogenicity and virulence of African trypanosomes: From laboratory models to clinically relevant hosts.. Virulence 2023 Dec;14(1):2150445.
                    doi: 10.1080/21505594.2022.2150445pubmed: 36419235google scholar: lookup
                  3. Venter F, Matthews KR, Silvester E. Parasite co-infection: an ecological, molecular and experimental perspective.. Proc Biol Sci 2022 Jan 26;289(1967):20212155.
                    doi: 10.1098/rspb.2021.2155pubmed: 35042410google scholar: lookup
                  4. Kargbo A, Ebiloma GU, Ibrahim YKE, Chechet GD, Jeng M, Balogun EO. Epizootiology and Molecular Identification of Trypanosome Species in Livestock Ruminants in the Gambia.. Acta Parasitol 2022 Mar;67(1):130-142.
                    doi: 10.1007/s11686-021-00442-zpubmed: 34164784google scholar: lookup
                  5. 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.
                    doi: 10.1186/s13071-021-04584-xpubmed: 33494807google scholar: lookup
                  6. Gummery L, Jallow S, Raftery AG, Bennet E, Rodgers J, Sutton DGM. Comparison of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and PCR for the diagnosis of infection with Trypanosoma brucei ssp. in equids in The Gambia.. PLoS One 2020;15(8):e0237187.
                    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237187pubmed: 32833981google scholar: lookup
                  7. Vourchakbé J, Tiofack AAZ, Mbida M, Simo G. Trypanosome infections in naturally infected horses and donkeys of three active sleeping sickness foci in the south of Chad.. Parasit Vectors 2020 Jun 23;13(1):323.
                    doi: 10.1186/s13071-020-04192-1pubmed: 32576240google scholar: lookup
                  8. Raftery AG, Jallow S, Coultous RM, Rodgers J, Sutton DGM. Variation in disease phenotype is marked in equine trypanosomiasis.. Parasit Vectors 2020 Mar 21;13(1):148.
                    doi: 10.1186/s13071-020-04020-6pubmed: 32199454google scholar: lookup
                  9. Büscher P, Gonzatti MI, Hébert L, Inoue N, Pascucci I, Schnaufer A, Suganuma K, Touratier L, Van Reet N. Equine trypanosomosis: enigmas and diagnostic challenges.. Parasit Vectors 2019 May 15;12(1):234.
                    doi: 10.1186/s13071-019-3484-xpubmed: 31092285google scholar: lookup
                  10. Raftery AG, Jallow S, Rodgers J, Sutton DGM. Safety and efficacy of three trypanocides in confirmed field cases of trypanosomiasis in working equines in The Gambia: a prospective, randomised, non-inferiority trial.. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019 Mar;13(3):e0007175.
                    doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007175pubmed: 30901321google scholar: lookup
                  11. Sabir N, Chaudhry ZI, Aslam A, Muhammad K, Shahid M, Hussain A, Khan SA, Ahmad I. A study on prevalence and molecular characterization of trypanosomal species infecting equines in Lahore region, Pakistan.. J Parasit Dis 2018 Mar;42(1):96-101.
                    doi: 10.1007/s12639-017-0972-9pubmed: 29491567google scholar: lookup
                  12. Silvester E, Young J, Ivens A, Matthews KR. Interspecies quorum sensing in co-infections can manipulate trypanosome transmission potential.. Nat Microbiol 2017 Nov;2(11):1471-1479.
                    doi: 10.1038/s41564-017-0014-5pubmed: 28871083google scholar: lookup
                  13. Rodrigues CM, Batista JS, Lima JM, Freitas FJ, Barros IO, Garcia HA, Rodrigues AC, Camargo EP, Teixeira MM. Field and experimental symptomless infections support wandering donkeys as healthy carriers of Trypanosoma vivax in the Brazilian Semiarid, a region of outbreaks of high mortality in cattle and sheep.. Parasit Vectors 2015 Oct 28;8:564.
                    doi: 10.1186/s13071-015-1169-7pubmed: 26510460google scholar: lookup
                  14. 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.
                    doi: 10.1007/s00436-010-2036-2pubmed: 20820805google scholar: lookup
                  15. Bouyer J, Seck MT, Sall B, Ndiaye EY, Guerrini L, Vreysen MJ. Stratified entomological sampling in preparation for an area-wide integrated pest management program: the example of Glossina palpalis gambiensis (Diptera: Glossinidae) in the Niayes of Senegal.. J Med Entomol 2010 Jul;47(4):543-52.
                    doi: 10.1603/me09149pubmed: 20695269google scholar: lookup
                  16. Abebe R, Wolde A. A cross-sectional study of trypanosomosis and its vectors in donkeys and mules in Northwest Ethiopia.. Parasitol Res 2010 Mar;106(4):911-6.
                    doi: 10.1007/s00436-010-1758-5pubmed: 20143093google scholar: lookup
                  17. de Clare Bronsvoort BM, von Wissmann B, Fèvre EM, Handel IG, Picozzi K, Welburn SC. No gold standard estimation of the sensitivity and specificity of two molecular diagnostic protocols for Trypanosoma brucei spp. in Western Kenya.. PLoS One 2010 Jan 7;5(1):e8628.
                    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008628pubmed: 20062795google scholar: lookup
                  18. Morrison LJ, Tweedie A, Black A, Pinchbeck GL, Christley RM, Schoenefeld A, Hertz-Fowler C, MacLeod A, Turner CM, Tait A. Discovery of mating in the major African livestock pathogen Trypanosoma congolense.. PLoS One 2009;4(5):e5564.
                    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005564pubmed: 19440370google scholar: lookup
                  Subscribe to our newsletter
                  Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.