MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF TRYPANOSOME ISOLATES FROM NATURALLY INFECTED DOMESTIC-ANIMALS IN BURKINA-FASO

A total of 33 trypanosome cryostabilates isolated from domestic animal s (bovine and dogs) were analysed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR was undertaken on diluted and treated buffy coat soluti ons according to an easy protocol of purification, using primers speci fic to Trypanosoma (Nannomonas) congolense of Savannah, Riverine-Fores t, Kilifi and Tsavo types, T. (N) simiae, T. (Trypanozoon) brucei and T. (Duttonella) vivax. The results showed a lack of PCR sensitivity wh en target solutions were simply diluted, probably a reflection of the inaccuracy of the dilution procedure at very low trypanosome numbers. Nine mixed infections were found in purified samples whereas only thre e were detected in diluted crude solutions, T. congolense Savannah-typ e was present in all stabilates. Double infections involving this type with the Riverine-Forest type, T. vivax or T. brucei, were found. One stabilate was found to be infected with the three trypanosome types, namely, T. congolense Savannah and Riverine-Forest genotypes and T. vi vax. No infection attributable to T. congolense Kilifi and Tsavo types or T. simiae was detected in these stabilates. This work confirmed th e abundance of mixed infections in the field, which could not have bee n detected by the classical parasitological methods. Amongst the T. co ngolense infections, the Savannah genotype was found to be predominant over the Riverine-Forest type: that could be a consequence of differe nces in genotype virulence in cattle. The detection of T. congolense R iverine-Forest type in vertebrate hosts living in wet areas could be c onfirmation of the suspected affinity of relationships between this ta xa and the riverine forest tsetse fly species. (C) 1997 Elsevier Scien ce B.V.