Evaluation of Cattle Trypanosomosis Seroprevalence in Guinea

Abstract

An evaluation of trypanosomosis prevalence was carried out in Guinea on sera originating from the serum bank of the veterinary laboratory of the National Livestock Services. Nine hundred and twenty-eight sera sampled on N’dama cattle were randomly selected and analyzed for antibody and antigen detection of Trypanosoma spp. Results obtained in the first test revealed Trypanosoma spp. antibodies in 67% of the cattle, with rates of 72% in the High Guinea area, 68% in Lower Guinea, 63% in Forest Guinea, and 62% in Middle Guinea. Among the animals, 69% of the females were infected or had been in contact with the infectious agent, against 62% of the males. The animals were infected regardless of their age. Infection rates were 71, 43, 61, 63, 59, and 74% in cattle under one year of age, 1-2 years old, 2-3 years old, 3-4 years old, 4-5 years old, over 5 years old, respectively. The second test showed the presence of antigens against T. brucei (16% of the sera), T. congolense (11%) and T. vivax ( 2%). The distribution of the results of both tests showed that 2% of the animals were positive for one, two or three antigens without the presence of antibodies, 17% were positive for both antigen(s) and antibodies, and 50% were positive for antibodies only.