Surveillance for Tsetse and Trypanosomosis in Bagudo Local Government Area North-Western Nigeria

Abstract

Tsetse-transmitted trypanosomosis is still a major impediment to livestock productivity in many parts of sub-Saharan African countries, Nigeria inclusive. However, the prevalence of the disease in Bagudo Local Government Area in Northwestern Nigeria is unknown, despite several claims, by Fulani herdsmen, of its existence in the region. Thus, a short survey was conducted to investigate the presence of Trypanosome species using microscopic examination and molecular technique by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using ITS-1 generic primers. Microscopic examination showed only 1out of 118 blood samples was infected with T. vivax, representing 0.8% prevalence. However, PCR revealed 11 samples were infected with different trypanosome species (T. vivax (10%), T. godfreyi (10%), and either of T. simiae tsavo or T. simiae or T. grayi (70%), representing 9.3% prevalence. One sample was a mixed infection of T. vivax / T. simiae tsavo or T.simiae or T.grayi / T. congolense kilifi. All the animals were anaemic with packed cell volume values of 20.3% ± 2.9 –22.7% ± 4.4. Also, 6 tsetse flies were caught using biconical traps deployed along riverine vegetation and morphologically identified as Glossina palpalis palpalis and Glossina tachinoides. Microscopic dissection of midgut, proboscis and salivary gland detected no trypanosomes, but polymerase chain reaction detected 1 fly was infected with a T. vivax. Since Bagudo LGA is ideally suited for livestock production but has high tendency of trypanosomiasis due tsetse infestation, there is therefore a need for general surveillance of the entire northwestern Nigeria for integrated control of the disease and its vector.