SOME FACTORS AFFECTING THE PREVALENCE OF TRYPANOSOMA-EVANSI IN CAMELSIN MAURITANIA

A study was conducted on the epidemiology of camel trypanosomosis in M auritania using 2073 camels of various ages in five regions (Trarza, G orgol, Adrar, Hodh EI Chargui, Nouakchott), The prevalence was determi ned through blood smear and serological tests: card agglutination test for trypanosomiasis (CATT) and immune fluorescence antibody test (IFA T). The prevalence of the disease was 1.3% using blood smear examinati ons, 16.2% with CATT and 25.2% with IFAT. The following variations wer e observed: (1) Camels in Trarza had the highest prevalence; (2) Intra region was a significant factor; (3) Animals that migrated to the sout h were more commonly infected than those in the north; and (4) Animals in the 5- to 10-yr age group had the highest prevalence. The study in dicated that camel trypanosomosis was widespread in Mauritania, especi ally in the wooded areas near waterways in the south. (C) 1997 Elsevie r Science B.V.