Detection of trypanosomes in tsetse or domestic livestock is a basic requirement for epidemiological studies as well as for planning and implementing control measures against tsetse and trypanosomiasis. This epidemiological study aimed at assessing the prevalence of trypanosomes in pigs and tsetse flies in the Jomoro district of the western region of Ghana using molecular techniques. Blood was collected from pigs and biconical traps were used to collect tsetse flies. DNA was isolated from 300 pig blood samples and 300 flies for trypanosome detection and identification by PCR. Packed Cell Volume (PCV) of blood samples from 300 pigs was measured using a micro-haematocrit reader. Glossina palpalis palpalis was the only tsetse species found in the area with fly apparent density of 18.4 fly/trap/day. An overall prevalence of trypanosomes in the study area was 4.3% and 0.8% in pigs and tsetse flies respectively. Mixed infection with Trypanosoma (T.) congolense forest and T. vivax was most prevalent 46.2% followed by single infection of T. vivax 15.4%, T. congolense and a mixed infection of T. congolense, T. vivax and T. brucei sl. were the least with 7.7% each. There were no significant differences in trypanosome prevalence among different age groups and between both sexes of the studied pigs (p > 0.05). Trypanosome prevalence was lower in healthy looking 1.9% than the sick looking 20%, pigs (P < 0.05). Mean PCV of parasitaemic pigs 29.3% was significantly lower than that of aparasitaemic pigs 37.8%. Two out of the five species-specific primers used could not identify any trypanosome species from the total blood samples examined. This could possibly mean that those species are not found in the present study area. These results provide useful background information for further study and justification to extend tsetse control to the Jomoro district.
Keywords: DNA; PCR; Prevalence; Trypanosoma; Tsetse.
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