Parasitological and serological (indirect-ELISA) survey on bovine trypanosomiasis in Sideradougou area, Burkina Faso

Abstract

A parasitological and serological survey of bovine trypanosomiasis was carried out in the northern sector of Sideradougou area (Burkina Faso), in November-December 1997. One thousand cattle were sampled by a stratified random sampling. Age and breed of the animals, nature and date of the last trypanocidal treatment were recorded. Parasitological examinations were carried out by the buffy coat method, hematocrit values were recorded, and indirect- ELISAs were carried out in 3 different systems, with soluble antigens of Trypanosoma vivax, T. brucei or T. congolense (type savannah). Parasitological examinations showed 5.3% positive samples, dominated by the specie T. congolense. Serological tests indicated a seroprevalence of 81.7% (± 2.4%) in Trypanosoma sp., the 3 tests combined. A mean annual incidence of 52% (± 11%) was estimated. The scores of positivity indicated seroprevalences per species of 79% for T. vivax, 3% for T. brucei, and 28% for T. congolense. In this enzootic situation parasitology is not very sensible, but associated with the hematocrit value, it allowed estimating the importance of trypanosomiasis disease at 15%. Cattle trypanosomiasis remains as a major concern in the study area. The enzootic situation is dominated by T. vivax infections, with high prevalence and clinical impact due to T. congolense. The data generated by this survey will be integrated into a geographical information system (GIS) set up in the area for the evaluation of trypanosome risk.