Trypanosoma simiae in the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) and the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius)

doi:10.1016/0304-4017(94)90182-1

Veterinary Parasitology

Volume 53, Issues 3–4, June 1994, Pages 191-196

https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-4017(94)90182-1 Get rights and content

Abstract

Trypanosoma simiae was identified as the cause of a disease outbreak in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) introduced to Tsavo East National Park, confirming the susceptibility of camels to this pathogen. T. simiae was also isolated from a new host, the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) through xenodiagnosis with a susceptible tsetse species (Glossina morsitans centralis). A white rhinoceros showed some evidence of anaemia and lymphopaenia when harbouring T. simiae, but did not suffer any long-term health effects.

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Cited by (8)

Development of a control strategy towards elimination of Trypanosoma evansi infection (surra) in camels in Africa
2022, Acta Tropica
With an increasing worldwide population that presently exceeds 38 million, camels are important source of meat, milk, and transportation of goods, in many regions of the world. Camels are particularly critical in the northern parts of Africa, above the tsetse belt. However, camel breeding areas are expanding into southern areas, under the pressures of global warming, leading to increasing risk of acquiring parasitic infections in these non-traditional ecotypes. Common biting flies (tabanids, stomoxyine flies, and Hippobosca camelina) act as mechanical vectors, resulting in exposure to trypanosomosis (Trypanosoma evansi; Surra) and high camel morbidity and mortality. In these regions, complicating infections with other Trypanosoma may also occur, particularly Trypanosoma vivax. In many modern camel-breeding areas, human populations are living under political upheaval (terrorism, riots), poverty, and precarity (drought, climate modification). Hence, control and/or elimination of Surra in camels would be beneficial to the economies of these populations. Due to the relatively straightforward epidemiology (single parasite with seasonal transmission in a single host species), control of Surra in Africa is affordable and should be based on implementing: (1) national veterinary services capabilities; (2) efficient diagnosis and control methods; (3) joint integrated control of Surra, gastrointestinal helminthoses (mainly haemonchosis), and sarcoptic mange. We propose that methods to control two economically-critical disease problems, gastrointestinal parasitosis and sarcoptic mange, will support improved Surra control in camels. Aided by decision-makers and donors, elimination of Surra could improve camel health and productivity, and stabilize camel-rearing in regions of the world that suffer from political instability and global warming pressures.
Sensitivity testing of trypanosome detection by PCR from whole blood samples using manual and automated DNA extraction methods
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Citation Excerpt :
American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, and can be fatal in both its chronic and acute forms (Kirchhoff, 1993). There is increasing evidence that trypanosomes are not only problematic for humans and livestock, but may also have impacts on wildlife, especially in cases where other threatening processes are present (e.g. black rhino, Diceros bicornis, Clausen, 1981; dromedary camels, Mihok et al., 1994; Australian marsupials, Thompson et al., 2009, 2014b). In Australia, exotic trypanosome species have been inadvertently introduced with feral species such as the European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus (Hamilton et al., 2005) and black rats Rattus rattus (Pickering and Norris, 1996).
Automated extraction of DNA for testing of laboratory samples is an attractive alternative to labour-intensive manual methods when higher throughput is required. However, it is important to maintain the maximum detection sensitivity possible to reduce the occurrence of type II errors (false negatives; failure to detect the target when it is present), especially in the biomedical field, where PCR is used for diagnosis. We used blood infected with known concentrations of Trypanosoma copemani to test the impact of analysis techniques on trypanosome detection sensitivity by PCR. We compared combinations of a manual and an automated DNA extraction method and two different PCR primer sets to investigate the impact of each on detection levels. Both extraction techniques and specificity of primer sets had a significant impact on detection sensitivity. Samples extracted using the same DNA extraction technique performed substantially differently for each of the separate primer sets. Type I errors (false positives; detection of the target when it is not present), produced by contaminants, were avoided with both extraction methods. This study highlights the importance of testing laboratory techniques with known samples to optimise accuracy of test results.
Trypanosomosis
2021, Infectious Diseases of Dromedary Camels: A Concise Guide
Developing a national atlas to support the progressive control of tsetse-transmitted animal trypanosomosis in Kenya
2020, Parasites and Vectors
Characterisation of the wildlife reservoir community for human and animal trypanosomiasis in the Luangwa Valley, Zambia
2011, PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Molecular epidemiology of camel trypanosomiasis based on ITS1 rDNA and RoTat 1.2 VSG gene in the Sudan
2011, Parasites and Vectors

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Veterinary Parasitology

Abstract

References (17)

Trypanosome infections in warthogs (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) in the Gambia

Vet. Parasitol.

Camel trypanosomiasis and its vectors in Somalia

Vet. Parasitol.

Failure of chemoprophylaxis against bovine trypanosomiasis on Galana Ranch in Kenya

Acta Trop.

Infection rates in Glossina morsitans morsitans fed on waterbuck (Kobus defassa) and Boran cattle (Bos indicus) infected with Trypanosoma congolense

Acta Trop.

Trypanosomes of the domestic animals in Nyasaland. I. Trypanosoma simiae, sp. nov. Part II. The susceptibility of various animals to T. simiae

Elusive trypanosomes

Ann. Trop. Med. Parasitol.

A repetitive deoxyribonucleic acid sequence distinguishes Trypanosoma simiae from T. congolense

Parasitology

Trypanosoma (Nanomonas) congolense: molecular characterization of a new genotype from Tsavo, Kenya

Parasitology

Cited by (8)

Development of a control strategy towards elimination of Trypanosoma evansi infection (surra) in camels in Africa

Sensitivity testing of trypanosome detection by PCR from whole blood samples using manual and automated DNA extraction methods

Trypanosomosis

Developing a national atlas to support the progressive control of tsetse-transmitted animal trypanosomosis in Kenya

Characterisation of the wildlife reservoir community for human and animal trypanosomiasis in the Luangwa Valley, Zambia

Molecular epidemiology of camel trypanosomiasis based on ITS1 rDNA and RoTat 1.2 VSG gene in the Sudan