Characterization of Trypanosoma brucei s.l. subspecies by isoenzymes in domestic pigs from the Fontem sleeping sickness focus of Cameroon

Though it has been established that domestic animals (especially the pig) are potential reservoir hosts for Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in West Africa, there is little data to this effect concerning Central Africa. Instead, some previous authors report the absence of Trypanozoon type trypanosomes i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta tropica 2002-03, Vol.81 (3), p.225-232
Main Authors: Nkinin, S.W, Njiokou, F, Penchenier, L, Grébaut, P, Simo, G, Herder, S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal protozoal diseases
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Cameroon - epidemiology
Disease Reservoirs - veterinary
Domestic pig
Infectious diseases
Isoenzymes
Isoenzymes - analysis
Medical sciences
Parasitic diseases
Protozoal diseases
Reservoir host
Sleeping sickness
Species Specificity
Swine - parasitology
Swine Diseases - epidemiology
Swine Diseases - parasitology
Tropical medicine
Trypanosoma brucei brucei - enzymology
Trypanosoma brucei brucei - isolation & purification
Trypanosoma brucei gambiense
Trypanosomiasis, African - parasitology
Trypanosomiasis, African - veterinary
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Summary:Though it has been established that domestic animals (especially the pig) are potential reservoir hosts for Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in West Africa, there is little data to this effect concerning Central Africa. Instead, some previous authors report the absence of Trypanozoon type trypanosomes in domestic animals in Cameroon. Thirty-two domestic pigs were sampled by KIVI (kit for in vitro isolation) of trypanosomes in the northern region (Bechati) of the Fontem sleeping sickness focus of Cameroon. Twenty-one of these were found positive, from 15 of which 17 isolates were successfully obtained. Isoenzyme characterization revealed that isolates from 4 of the 15 pigs belonged to zymodemes associated with T. brucei gambiense group 1. The prevalence of this disease in the local human population is, however, very low. It is evident from this study that the domestic pig may be a potential reservoir host for T. brucei gambiense in the Fontem focus. There is, however, need for an extensive study on domestic animals in Cameroon and other neighbouring countries for a better comprehension of the epidemiology of sleeping sickness within the Central African region.
ISSN:0001-706X
1873-6254
DOI:10.1016/S0001-706X(01)00213-3