scholarly journals Apparent density, trypanosome infection rates and host preference of tsetse flies in the sleeping sickness endemic focus of northwestern Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Opiro ◽  
Robert Opoke ◽  
Harriet Angwech ◽  
Esther Nakafu ◽  
Francis A. Oloya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Rate ◽  
Apparent Density ◽  
Blood Meal ◽  
Nested Pcr ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Trypanosome Species ◽  
Trypanosome Infection ◽  
Monitor Lizard

Abstract Background African trypanosomiasis, caused by protozoa of the genus Trypanosoma and transmitted by the tsetse fly, is a serious parasitic disease of humans and animals. Reliable data on the vector distribution, feeding preference and the trypanosome species they carry is pertinent to planning sustainable control strategies. Methodology We deployed 109 biconical traps in 10 villages in two districts of northwestern Uganda to obtain information on the apparent density, trypanosome infection status and blood meal sources of tsetse flies. A subset (272) of the collected samples was analyzed for detection of trypanosomes species and sub-species using a nested PCR protocol based on primers amplifying the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA. 34 blood-engorged adult tsetse midguts were analyzed for blood meal sources by sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) and cytochrome b (cytb) genes. Results We captured a total of 622 Glossina fuscipes fuscipes tsetse flies (269 males and 353 females) in the two districts with apparent density (AD) ranging from 0.6 to 3.7 flies/trap/day (FTD). 10.7% (29/272) of the flies were infected with one or more trypanosome species. Infection rate was not significantly associated with district of origin (Generalized linear model (GLM), χ2 = 0.018, P = 0.895, df = 1, n = 272) and sex of the fly (χ2 = 1.723, P = 0.189, df = 1, n = 272). However, trypanosome infection was highly significantly associated with the fly’s age based on wing fray category (χ2 = 22.374, P < 0.001, df = 1, n = 272), being higher among the very old than the young tsetse. Nested PCR revealed several species of trypanosomes: T. vivax (6.62%), T. congolense (2.57%), T. brucei and T. simiae each at 0.73%. Blood meal analyses revealed five principal vertebrate hosts, namely, cattle (Bos taurus), humans (Homo sapiens), Nile monitor lizard (Varanus niloticus), African mud turtle (Pelusios chapini) and the African Savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana). Conclusion We found an infection rate of 10.8% in the tsetse sampled, with all infections attributed to trypanosome species that are causative agents for AAT. However, more verification of this finding using large-scale passive and active screening of human and tsetse samples should be done. Cattle and humans appear to be the most important tsetse hosts in the region and should be considered in the design of control interventions.

scholarly journals Apparent density, trypanosome infection rates and host preference of tsetse flies in the sleeping sickness endemic focus of   Northwestern Uganda

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Opiro ◽  
Robert Opoke ◽  
Harriet Angwech ◽  
Esther Nakafu ◽  
Francis A. Oloya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Rate ◽  
Apparent Density ◽  
Blood Meal ◽  
Nested Pcr ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Trypanosome Species ◽  
Trypanosome Infection ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Monitor Lizard

Abstract Background: African trypanosomiasis, caused by protozoa of the genus Trypanosoma and transmitted by the tsetse fly, is a serious parasitic disease of humans and animals. Reliable data on the vector distribution, feeding preference and the trypanosome species they carry is pertinent to planning sustainable control strategies.Methodology: We deployed 109 biconical traps in 10 villages in two districts of northwestern Uganda to obtain information on the apparent density, trypanosome infection rates and blood meal sources of tsetse flies. A subset (272) of the collected samples was analyzed for detection of trypanosomes species and sub-species using a nested PCR protocol based on primers amplifying the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA. 34 blood-engorged adult tsetse midguts were analyzed for blood meal sources by sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) and cytochrome b (cytb) genes. Results: Out of the 109 traps deployed, we captured 622 Glossina fuscipes fuscipes tsetse flies (269 males and 353 females). Apparent density (AD) ranged from 0.6 to 3.7 flies/trap/day in the two districts. 29 (10.7%) of the flies were infected with one or more trypanosome species. Infection rate was not significantly associated with neither age group (χ2 = 5.001, df=2, 0.082), sex of the fly (χ2 = 0.099, df = 1, p = 0.753), district of origin (χ2= 0.629, df = 1, p = 0.428) nor village (χ2= 9.252, df = 9, p = 0.414). Nested PCR revealed several species of trypanosomes: T. vivax (6.62%), T. congolense (2.57%), T. brucei and T. simiae each at 0.73%. Blood meal analyses revealed five principal vertebrate hosts, namely, cattle (Bos taurus), humans (Homo sapiens), Nile monitor lizard (Varanus niloticus), African mud turtle (Pelusio schapini) and the African Savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana).Conclusion: We found an infection rate of 10.78 %, with all infections attributed to trypanosome species that are causative agents for the animal disease only. However, more verification of this finding using large-scale passive and active screening of human and tsetse samples should be done. Cattle and humans appear to be the most important tsetse hosts in the region and should be considered in the design of interventions.

scholarly journals Apparent density, trypanosome infection rates and host preference of tsetse flies in the sleeping sickness endemic focus of Northwestern Uganda

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Opiro ◽  
Robert Opoke ◽  
Harriet Angwech ◽  
Esther Nakafu ◽  
Francis A. Oloya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Rate ◽  
Apparent Density ◽  
Blood Meal ◽  
Nested Pcr ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Trypanosome Species ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Monitor Lizard

Abstract Background: African trypanosomiasis, caused by protozoa of the genus Trypanosoma and transmitted by the tsetse fly, is a serious parasitic disease of humans and animals. Reliable data on the vector distribution, feeding preference and the trypanosome species they carry is pertinent to planning sustainable control strategies.Methodology: We deployed 109 biconical traps in 10 villages in two districts of northwestern Uganda to obtain information on the apparent density, infection rates and blood meal sources of tsetse flies. A subset (272) of the collected samples was analyzed for detection of trypanosomes species and sub-species using a nested PCR protocol based on primers amplifying the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA. 34 blood-engorged adult tsetse midguts were analyzed for blood meal sources by sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) and cytochrome b (cytb) genes. Results: Out of the 109 traps deployed, we captured 622 Glossina fuscipes fuscipes tsetse flies (269 males and 353 females). Apparent density (AD) ranged from 0.6 to 3.7 flies/trap/day in the two districts. 29 (10.7%) of the flies were infected with one or more trypanosome species. Infection rate was not significantly associated with neither age group (χ2 = 5.001, df=2, 0.082), sex of the fly (χ2 = 0.099, df = 1, p = 0.753), district of origin (χ2= 0.629, df = 1, p = 0.428) nor village (χ2= 9.252, df = 9, p = 0.414). Nested PCR revealed several species of trypanosomes: T. vivax (6.62%), T. congolense (2.57%), and T. brucei and T. simiae each at 0.73%. Blood meal analyses revealed five principal vertebrate hosts, namely, cattle (Bos taurus), humans (Homo sapiens), Nile monitor lizard (Varanus niloticus), African mud turtle (Pelusio schapini) and the African Savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana).Conclusion: We found a moderately high infection rate of 10.78%, with all infections attributed to trypanosome species that are causative agents for the animal disease only. However, more validation using large-scale passive and active screening of human and tsetse samples should be done. Cattle and humans appear to be the most important tsetse hosts in the region and should be considered in the design of interventions.

scholarly journals Apparent Density, Trypanosome Infection Rates and Host Preference of Tsetse Flies in the Sleeping Sickness Endemic Focus of North-Western Uganda

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Opiro ◽  
Robert Opoke ◽  
Harriet Angwech ◽  
Esther Nakafu ◽  
Francis A. Oloya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Rate ◽  
Apparent Density ◽  
Blood Meal ◽  
Nested Pcr ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Trypanosome Species ◽  
Trypanosome Infection ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Monitor Lizard

Abstract Background: African trypanosomiasis, caused by protozoa of the genus Trypanosoma and transmitted by the tsetse fly, is a serious parasitic disease of humans and animals. Reliable data on the vector distribution, feeding preference and the trypanosome species they carry is pertinent to planning sustainable control strategies.Methodology: We deployed 109 biconical traps in 10 villages in two districts of northwestern Uganda to obtain information on the apparent density, trypanosome infection rates and blood meal sources of tsetse flies. A subset of the collected samples was analyzed for detection of trypanosomes species and sub-species using a nested PCR protocol based on primers amplifying the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA. 34 blood-engorged adult tsetse midguts were analyzed for blood meal sources by sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) and cytochrome b (cytb) genes. Results: Out of the 109 traps deployed, we captured 622 Glossina fuscipes fuscipes tsetse flies (269 males and 353 females). Apparent density (AD) ranged from 0.6 to 3.7 flies/trap/day in the two districts. 29 (10.7%) of the flies were infected with one or more trypanosome species, with infection rate significantly associated with age group (χ2 = 29.733, df = 2, p < 0.05) but not with sex (χ2 = 0.43, df = 1, p = 0.835) and district of origin (χ2 = 1.374, df = 1, p = 0.241). Nested PCR revealed several species of trypanosomes: T. vivax (62.1%), T. congolense (24.14 %), and T. brucei and T. simiae each at 6.89%. Blood meal analyses revealed five principal vertebrate hosts, namely, cattle (Bos taurus), humans (Homo sapiens), Nile monitor lizard (Varanus niloticus), African mud turtle (Pelusio schapini) and the African Savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana).Conclusion: We found a moderately high infection rate at 10.78%, with all infections attributed to trypanosome species that are causative agents for the animal disease only. However, more validation using large-scale passive and active screening of human and tsetse samples should be done. Cattle and humans appear to be the most important tsetse hosts in the region and should be considered in the design of interventions.

scholarly journals Apparent density, trypanosome infection rates and host preference of tsetse flies in the sleeping sickness endemic focus of Northwestern Uganda

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Opiro ◽  
Robert Opoke ◽  
Harriet Angwech ◽  
Esther Nakafu ◽  
Francis A. Oloya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Rate ◽  
Apparent Density ◽  
Blood Meal ◽  
Nested Pcr ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Trypanosome Species ◽  
Trypanosome Infection ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Monitor Lizard

Abstract Background: African trypanosomiasis, caused by protozoa of the genus Trypanosoma and transmitted by the tsetse fly, is a serious parasitic disease of humans and animals. Reliable data on the vector distribution, feeding preference and the trypanosome species they carry is pertinent to planning sustainable control strategies.Methodology: We deployed 109 biconical traps in 10 villages in two districts of northwestern Uganda to obtain information on the apparent density, trypanosome infection rates and blood meal sources of tsetse flies. A subset (272) of the collected samples was analyzed for detection of trypanosomes species and sub-species using a nested PCR protocol based on primers amplifying the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA. 34 blood-engorged adult tsetse midguts were analyzed for blood meal sources by sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) and cytochrome b (cytb) genes. Results: Out of the 109 traps deployed, we captured 622 Glossina fuscipes fuscipes tsetse flies (269 males and 353 females). Apparent density (AD) ranged from 0.6 to 3.7 flies/trap/day in the two districts. 29 (10.7%) of the flies were infected with one or more trypanosome species. Infection rate was not significantly associated with age group (χ2 = 5.001, df=2, p = 0.082), sex of the fly (χ2 = 0.099, df = 1, p = 0.753), district of origin (χ2= 0.629, df = 1, p = 0.428) and village of origin (χ2= 9.252, df = 9, p = 0.414). Nested PCR revealed several species of trypanosomes: T. vivax (6.62%), T. congolense (2.57%), T. brucei and T. simiae each at 0.73%. Blood meal analyses revealed five principal vertebrate hosts, namely, cattle (Bos taurus), humans (Homo sapiens), Nile monitor lizard (Varanus niloticus), African mud turtle (Pelusio schapini) and the African Savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana).Conclusion: We found an infection rate of 10.78 %, with all infections attributed to trypanosome species that are causative agents for the animal disease only. However, more verification of this finding using large-scale passive and active screening of human and tsetse samples should be done. Cattle and humans appear to be the most important tsetse hosts in the region and should be considered in the design of interventions.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Cattle Trypanosomosis and Apparent Density of Its Fly Vectors in Bambasi District of Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State, Western Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Morka Amante ◽  
Hika Tesgera
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Brucei ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Apparent Density ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Trypanosoma Vivax ◽  
Trypanosome Species ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference

Trypanosomosis is the most serious disease of cattle, which causes great socioeconomic losses in the country. Its socioeconomic impact is reflected on direct losses due to mortality, morbidity, and reduction in milk and meat production, abortion and stillbirth, and also costs associated with combat of the disease are direct losses. A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the prevalence of cattle trypanosomosis, and the apparent density and distribution of its fly vectors in selected study areas. The methods employed during the study were buffy coat technique for parasitological study and deploying trap for the collection of tsetse flies. A total of 1512 flies were trapped, and among them, 1162 were tsetse flies while 350 were biting flies. Higher apparent density for tsetse fly (7.7 F/T/D) followed by Stomoxys (0.9 F/T/D), Tabanus (0.8 F/T/D), and Hematopota (0.6 F/T/D) was recorded. Out of 638 examined cattle, the overall prevalence of trypanosomosis in the study area was 9.1% (58/638). Out of positive cases, Trypanosoma congolense (7.7%) was the dominant trypanosome species followed by Trypanosoma vivax (0.9%), Trypanosoma brucei (0.2%), and mixed infection of Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma vivax (0.3%). There was no a significant difference (p>0.05) in trypanosome infection between age, sex, and trypanosome species. The prevalence of trypanosomosis on the bases of body condition was 2.8% for poor, 5.5% for medium, and 0.8% for good body condition. The overall prevalence of anemia was (36.8%), and presence of anemia was higher in trypanosome positive animals (62.5%) than in negative animals (34.3%) which is statistically significant (p<0.05, CI = 1.794–5.471). The overall mean packed cell volume (PCV) value for examined animals was 25.84 ± 0.252SE. Mean (PCV) of parasitaemic cattle (9.1%) was significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of aparasitaemic cattle (90%). This survey showed that trypanosomosis is still a core problem for livestock production of the study area. Therefore, more attention should be given to the control of both the disease and its vectors.

scholarly journals Trypanosome Infection Rate in Glossina tachinoides: Infested Rivers of Limmu Kosa District Jimma Zone, Western Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
behablom meharenet ◽  
Dereje Alemu
Keyword(s):  
Infection Rate ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Trypanosome Infection ◽  
Glossina Tachinoides ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Jimma Zone ◽  
Study Methodology ◽  
Trypanosome Infection Rate

Abstract Objective : Trypanosomosis is a disease of domestic animals and humans resulting from infection with parasitaemic protozoa of the genus Trypanosoma transmitted primarily by tsetse flies. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January-March 2018, to estimate the infection rate of trypanosome in Glossina tachinoides , their distribution, magnitude and involved trypanosome species in Limmu Kosa District of Jimma zone. Methodology and result : Study methodology involved entomological survey using monoconical traps to study the magnitude of Fly density Flay/Trap/Day (FTD) and tsetse fly dissection to estimate infection rate of trypanosome in vector flies. The study result indicated that there was only one species of Tsetse fly Glossina tachinoides detected with FTD=4.45. From total of (n=284) dissected Glossina tachinoides flies only (n= 5) positive for Trypanosome resulting in 1.76% Infection Rate. Peak trypanosome infections were observed in female tsetse 2.04%, n=4 and 1.14%, n=1 in males. Furthermore, 1.06% Glossina tachinoides were infected by Trypanosome vivax and the remaining 0.70% was Trypanosome congolense . Keywords : Limmu Kosa District, Trypanosome, Infection Rate, Glossina tachinoides

scholarly journals Trypanosome Infection Rate in Glossina tachinoides: Infested Rivers of Limmu Kosa District Jimma Zone, Western Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Behablom Meharenet ◽  
Dereje Alemu
Keyword(s):  
Infection Rate ◽  
Parasite Species ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Trypanosome Infection ◽  
Glossina Tachinoides ◽  
Jimma Zone ◽  
Western Ethiopia ◽  
Trypanosome Infection Rate

Abstract Objective: Trypanosomosis is a disease of domestic animals and humans resulting from infection with parasitaemic protozoa of the genus Trypanosoma transmitted primarily by tsetse flies and other hematophagous flies. The study was conducted to estimate the infection rate of trypanosome in vector flies and involved parasite species. Result: The study result indicated that there was only one species of Tsetse fly Glossinatachinoides detected with high Flay/Trap/Day = 4.45. Total of n=284 tsetse flies were dissected and n= 5 positive for Glossinatachinoidesresulting in 1.76% infection rate. Higher trypanosome infections were observed in female tsetse with significant infection rate of 1.41%, n=4 and 0.35%, n=1 in males. Furthermore, 1.06% of the trypanosome infections carried by Glossinatachinoides were classified as Trypanosomavivax and the remaining 0.70% was Trypanosomacongolense.The study confirmed the absence of human trypanosomosis in study area with only identified trypanosome parasites were Trypanosomavivax and Trypanosomacongolense. However, the resulted FTD= 4.45 recommend control and suppression of the vector and parasite is mandatory due to Pathogenic Animal Trypanosomosis.

scholarly journals Trypanosome Infection Rate in Glossina tachinoides: Infested Rivers of Limmu Kosa District Jimma Zone, Western Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
behablom meharenet ◽  
Dereje Alemu
Keyword(s):  
Infection Rate ◽  
Parasite Species ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Trypanosome Infection ◽  
Glossina Tachinoides ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Jimma Zone ◽  
Trypanosome Infection Rate

Abstract Objective: Trypanosomosis is a disease of domestic animals and humans resulting from infection with parasitaemic protozoa of the genus Trypanosoma transmitted primarily by tsetse flies. The study was conducted to estimate the infection rate of trypanosome in vector flies and involved parasite species. Result: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January-March 2018, to study the distribution and infection rate of trypanosome in vector flies and involved parasite species. Study methodology involved entomological survey using monoconical traps to study the magnitude of Fly density Flay/Trap/Day (FTD) and tsetse fly dissection to estimate infection rate of trypanosome in vector flies. The study result indicated that there was only one species of Tsetse fly Glossina tachinoides detected with FTD=4.45. Total of n=284 tsetse flies were dissected and n= 5 positive for Trypanosome resulting in 1.76% Infection Rate. Higher trypanosome infections were observed in female tsetse 1.41%, n=4 and 0.35%, n=1 in males. Furthermore, 1.06% of the trypanosome infections carried by Glossina tachinoides were classified as Trypanosome vivax and the remaining 0.70% was Trypanosome congolense. Keywords: Limmu Kosa District, Trypanosome, Infection Rate, Glossina tachinoides

scholarly journals Tsetse blood-meal sources, endosymbionts, and trypanosome infections provide insight into African trypanosomiasis transmission in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, a wildlife-human-livestock interface

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Edmond Makhulu ◽  
Jandouwe Villinger ◽  
Vincent Owino Adunga ◽  
Maamun M. Jeneby ◽  
Edwin Murungi Kimathi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Meal ◽  
Vector Competence ◽  
Glossina Pallidipes ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
African Buffalo ◽  
African Trypanosomiasis ◽  
Trypanosome Infection ◽  
African Trypanosomes ◽  
Blood Meals

AbstractBackgroundAfrican trypanosomiasis (AT) is a neglected disease of both humans and animals caused by Trypanosoma parasites, which are transmitted by obligate hematophagous tsetse flies (Glossina spp.). Understanding of AT transmission is hampered by limited knowledge on interactions of tsetse flies with their vertebrate hosts and the influence of endosymbionts on vector competence, especially in wildlife-human-livestock interfaces. We identified the tsetse species, their blood-meal sources, and the correlation between endosymbiont and trypanosome infection status in the trypanosome-endemic Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR) of Kenya.Methodology/Principal FindingsAmong 1167 tsetse flies (1136 Glossina pallidipes, 31 Glossina swynnertoni) collected from 10 sampling sites, 28 (2.4%) were positive by PCR for trypanosomes, majority (17/28) being Trypanosoma vivax. Blood-meal analyses based on high-resolution melting analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 and cytochrome b gene PCR products (n = 345) identified humans as the most common vertebrate host (37%), followed by hippopotamus (29.1%), African buffalo (26.3%), elephant (3.39%), and giraffe (0.84%). Trypanosome-infected flies had fed on hippopotamus and buffalo. Additionally, PCR analysis revealed that tsetse flies were more likely to be infected with trypanosomes if they were infected with the Sodalis glossinidius endosymbiont (P = 0.0022 Fisher’s exact test).Conclusions/SignificanceDiverse species of wildlife hosts may contribute to the maintenance of tsetse populations and/or persistent circulation of African trypanosomes in the MMNR. Although the African buffalo is known to be a key reservoir of AT, the higher proportion of hippopotamus blood-meals in trypanosomes-infected flies identified here indicates that other wildlife species may also be important to transmission cycles. No trypanosomes associated with human disease were identified, but the high proportion of human blood-meals identified are indicative of human African trypanosomiasis transmission risk. Furthermore, this work provides data showing that Sodalis endosymbionts can is associated with increased trypanosome infection rates in endemic ecologies.Author summaryHuman and animal African trypanosomiasis are neglected tropical diseases with potential to spread to new areas. Wild animals are important reservoirs for African trypanosomes and crucial in the emergence and re-emergence of AT. Vertebrate host-vector-parasite interactions are integral to trypanosome transmission. We investigated the vertebrate blood-meals and trypanosomes-endosymbionts co-infections in tsetse flies, which have been associated with reservoirs and vector competence, respectively, on AT transmission in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve. We identified tsetse fly diversity, trypanosome and endosymbiont infection status, and vertebrate blood-meal hosts to infer potential transmission dynamics. We found that Glossina pallidipes was the major tsetse fly vector and that Trypanosoma vivax was the main trypanosome species circulating in the region. Humans, hippopotamus, and buffalo were the most frequented for blood-meals. Buffalo and hippopotamus blood-meals were identified in trypanosome infected flies. Feeding of the flies on both humans and wildlife may potentiate the risk of the human trypanosomiasis in this ecology. Additionally, we found that the endosymbiont Sodalis glossinidius is associated with higher trypanosome infection rates in wild tsetse flies. These findings emphasize the importance of understanding the interaction of tsetse flies with vertebrate blood-meal sources and their endosymbionts in the transmission and control of AT.

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