Heterogeneity in the prevalence and intensity of bovine trypanosomiasis in the districts of Amuru and Nwoya, Northern Uganda
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Date
2015
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Biomedical Central- Veterinary Research
Abstract
Background:
Livestock trypanosomiasis, transmitted mainly by tsetse flies of the genus Glossina is a major
constraint to livestock health and productivity in the sub-Saharan Africa. Knowledge of the prevalence and intensity
of trypanosomiasis is important in understanding the epidemiology of the disease. The objectives of this study
were to (a) assess the prevalence and intensity of trypanosome infections in cattle, and (b) to investigate the
reasons for the heterogeneity of the disease in the tsetse infested districts of Amuru and Nwoya, northern Uganda.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted from September, 2011 to January, 2012. Blood samples were
collected from 816 cattle following jugular vein puncture, and screened for trypanosomes by HCT and ITS-PCR. A
Pearson chi-squared test and logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association between
location, age, sex, and prevalence of trypanosome infections.
Results:
Out of the 816 blood samples examined, 178 (22 %) and 338 (41 %) tested positive for trypanosomiasis by
HCT and ITS-PCR, respectively. Trypanosoma vivax infection accounted for 77 % of infections detected by
ITS-PCR, T. congolense (16 %), T. brucei s.l (4 %) and mixed (T. vivax/ T. congolense/T.brucei) infections (3 %). The risk
of trypanosome infection was significantly associated with cattle age (χ
2 = 220.4, df = 3, P < 0.001). The highest
proportions of infected animals were adult males (26.7 %) and the least infected were the less than one year old calves
(2.0 %). In addition, the risk of trypanosome infection was significantly associated with sex (χ
2 = 16.64, df = 1, P < 0.001),
and males had a significantly higher prevalence of infections (26.8 %) than females (14.6 %).
Conclusion:
Our results indicate that the prevalence and intensity of trypanosome infections are highly heterogeneous
being associated with cattle age, location and sex
Description
Keywords
Cattle,, ITS-PCR,, Risk factors,, T. brucei s.l,, T. Congolense,, T. vivax,, Trypanosomiasis