AUTHOR=Nakamura Yukiko , Hayashida Kyoko , Delesalle Victoire , Qiu Yongjin , Omori Ryosuke , Simuunza Martin , Sugimoto Chihiro , Namangala Boniface , Yamagishi Junya 

TITLE=Genetic Diversity of African Trypanosomes in Tsetse Flies and Cattle From the Kafue Ecosystem

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=8

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2021.599815

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2021.599815

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=<p>We clarified the genetic diversity of <italic>Trypanosoma</italic> spp. within the Kafue ecosystem, using PCR targeting the internal transcribed spacer 1 and the cathepsin L-like cysteine protease (CatL) sequences. The overall prevalence of <italic>Trypanosoma</italic> spp. in cattle and tsetse flies was 12.65 and 26.85%, respectively. Cattle positive for <italic>Trypanosoma vivax</italic> had a significantly lower packed cell volume, suggesting that <italic>T. vivax</italic> is the dominant <italic>Trypanosoma</italic> spp. causing anemia in this area. Among the 12 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of <italic>T. vivax</italic> CatL sequences detected, one was from a known <italic>T. vivax</italic> lineage, two OTUs were from known <italic>T. vivax</italic>-like lineages, and nine OTUs were considered novel <italic>T. vivax</italic>-like lineages. These findings support previous reports that indicated the extensive diversity of <italic>T. vivax</italic>-like lineages. The findings also indicate that combining CatL PCR with next generation sequencing is useful in assessing <italic>Trypanosoma</italic> spp. diversity, especially for <italic>T. vivax</italic> and <italic>T. vivax</italic>-like lineages. In addition, the 5.42% prevalence of <italic>Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense</italic> found in cattle raises concern in the community and requires careful monitoring of human African trypanosomiasis.</p>