FIELD APPLICATION OF THE POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION (PCR) TO THE DETECTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF TRYPANOSOMES IN GLOSSINA-LONGIPALPIS (DIPTERA, GLOSSINIDAE) IN COTE-DIVOIRE

The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique was used for the identif ication of natural trypanosome infections in Glossina longipalpis (Dip tera: Glossinidae) in Cote d'Ivoire. A total number of 139 flies were examined microscopically for the presence of trypanosomes. Out of them 50 were detected positive and were subsequently prepared for the PCR using primers specific for Trypanosoma (Nannomonas) congolense of Sava nnah, Riverine-Forest, Kilifi, and Tsavo types, T. (N.) simiae, T. (Du ttonella) vivax and Trypanozoon. Almost 90% of the infections detected by the PCR were attributed to Nannomonas, especially T. congolense Sa vannah and Riverine-Forest types, with many infections in which both o f these two types were present. T. simiae and T. vivax were also detec ted in some flies. The sequence specificity of the PCR products was co nfirmed by hybridization with parasite-type specific DNA probes. Diffe rences between parasitological and PCR results are discussed.