Animal Trypanosomiasis

Animal trypanosomiasis, also known as nagana and nagana pest, or sleeping sickness, is a disease of non-human vertebrates. The disease is caused by trypanosomes of several species in the genus ''Trypanosoma'' such as '' T. brucei'' (which also infects humans to cause African Sleeping Sickness), and '' T. vivax'' which causes nagana in livestock mainly in West Africa, although it has also spread to South America. The trypanosomes infect the blood of the vertebrate host, causing fever, weakness, and lethargy, which lead to weight loss and anemia. In some animals, the disease is fatal if not treated. The trypanosomes are transmitted by tsetse flies.

An interesting feature is the remarkable tolerance to nagana pathology shown by some breeds of cattle, notably the N'Dama – a West African ''Bos taurus'' breed. This contrasts with the susceptibility shown by East African '' B. indicus'' cattle such as the zebu.

Transmission

Most trypanosomes develop in tsetse flies (''Glossina'' spp.), its biological vector, in about one to a few weeks. When an infected tsetse fly bites an animal, the parasites are transmitted through its saliva. It can also be spread by fomites such as surgical instruments, needles, and syringes. The most important non-''Glossina'' vectors are thought to be horseflies (''Tabanidae'' spp.) and stable flies (''Stomoxys'' spp.).

The immune response of animals may be unable to eliminate trypanosomes completely, and the host may become an inapparent carrier. These inapparent infections can be reactivated if the animal is stressed. Transplacental transmission can also occur.

Transmission was successfully halted on Zanzibar by sterile insect technique (SIT) of the vector ''Glossina austeni''.

Signs and symptoms

The incubation period ranges from four days to approximately eight weeks. The infection leads to significant weight loss and anemia. Various symptoms are observed, including fever, oedema, adenitis, dermatitis and nervous disorders. The disease cannot be diagnosed with certainty except physically detecting parasites by blood microscopic examination or various serological reactions.

Vectors

Control measures

If the outbreak is detected early, the organism can be destroyed by quarantines, movement controls, and the euthanasia of infected animals. Tsetse fly populations can be reduced or eliminated by traps, insecticides, and by treating infected animals with antiparasitic drugs. The tsetse habitat can be destroyed by alteration of vegetation. Some drugs can prevent trypanosomiasis, and are called prophylactic drugs. These are very effective in protecting animals during the times they are exposed to diseases. Historically, these drugs were not used properly, leading to some resistance.

Waterbuck, among other animals, produces chemical odours that repel tsetse flies. This has led to the development of collars that store and gradually release these chemicals, reducing tsetse attack and thus trypanosomiasis incidence for cattle wearing these collars.

Economic impact

Although the loss of direct livestock products (meat, milk, and blood) is problematic, the greatest impact of livestock trypanosomiasis is the loss of crop productivity due to loss of the animals' draught power in the field. AGRIS i
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References

Further reading

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WHO fact sheet on Trypanosomiasis

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Parasitology
Bovine diseases
Livestock