ISOLATION OF TRYPANOSOMA SPP FROM WILD TSETSE-FLIES THROUGH PROCYCLICEXPANSION IN GLOSSINA-MORSITANS CENTRALIS

Procyclic trypanosomes from wild tsetse flies were membrane-fed to Glo ssina morsitans centralis in order to develop an optimal technique for propagating field isolates. A 70% success rate was achieved in isolat ing Trypanasoma simiae and a variety of genotypes of T. congolense ori ginating from G. pallidipes, G. brevipalpis and G. swynnertoni. Parasi tes matured into forms infective for mammals, and could be maintained by passage of gut forms to new groups of flies. Ln experiments with la boratory stocks, we also passaged immature gut infections of T. congol ense and T. brucei from Various tsetse species to G. m. centralis. The optimal technique was investigated for procyclic T. congolense throug h addition of various compounds to goat blood using G. m. centralis an d G. m. morsitans as recipients. From these experiments, many approach es to procyclic expansion appeared possible. However, a simple and pra ctical method based on the use of fresh goat blood for rapid feeding o f G. m. centralis is recommended. Application of this technique should aid in the resolution of questions relating to the cryptic diversity of Nannomonas trypanosomes in diverse host and vector communities.