The distribution of bovine trypanosomosis in Zimbabwe and an evaluation ofthe value of an anti-trypanosomal antibody detection ELISA as a tool for monitoring the effectiveness of tsetse control operations
P. Van Den Bossche et al., The distribution of bovine trypanosomosis in Zimbabwe and an evaluation ofthe value of an anti-trypanosomal antibody detection ELISA as a tool for monitoring the effectiveness of tsetse control operations, TROP ANIM, 33(5), 2001, pp. 391-405
Tsetse have been cleared from large areas of Zimbabwe during the past 65 ye
ars. In most areas, they are prevented from re-invading cleared areas by ba
rriers of odour-baited, insecticide-treated targets. A trypanosomosis surve
y was conducted to determine the effectiveness of such barriers against re-
invasion and to confirm the absence of tsetse in areas where they had previ
ously been eradicated. Parasitological diagnostic methods and an anti-trypa
nosomal antibody detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (antibody ELIS
A) were used. The prevalence of trypanosomal infections in the tsetse-clear
ed areas was generally low. However, the prevalence of anti-trypanosomal an
tibodies was unexpectedly high in some areas. This high proportion of cattl
e with antibodies could, in most cases, be explained by recent or historic
information on the distribution and density of tsetse. The results from the
survey demonstrated the value of anti-trypanosomal antibody detection as a
n additional sensitive tool for monitoring the effectiveness of tsetse cont
rol operations.