Molecular genetic techniques applied to the epidemiology of trypanosomoses. Advantages of the microsatellite polymorphism study in tsetse flies

Abstract

A further understanding of trypanosomosis epidemiology has been brought about by the development of molecular techniques. With regard to diagnosis, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combines the advantages of greater sensibility than classical techniques and the possibility to differentiate trypanosomes with similar morphology but a very different economic impact. Populations of cyclic vectors (tsetse flies) have been suspected to exist with varying degrees of dangerousness within the same species. The authors describe and propose to apply the technique of microsatellite DNA polymorphism to assess the consequences of tsetse intraspecific variability on the epidemiology of trypanosomosis.