Trypanosomiasis in different breeds of cattle from Benin

Blood of different breeds of cattle, namely Lagune from the Atlantic province, Borgou and Borgou x Zebu from the Borgou province, and Somba and Zebu from the Atacora province of Benin, were examined for trypanosome infection. Thick and thin blood smears for trypanosomes, the card agglutination test (CATT), indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and trypanolytic test for antibodies to trypanosomes were used. Trypanosomes were detected in 19.3% (range 9.8-31.4%) of animals by examination of blood smears; antibodies to trypanosomes were found in 89.8% (range 88.4-100%) of samples by IFAT, 50.6% (range 34-87.5%) by CATT and 3.4% (range 1.1-7.1%) by trypanolytic test. Trypanosoma vivax and Trypanosoma congolense were the main species in Benin with a low number of Trypanosoma brucei. Zebu had lower infection rates than trypanotolerant breeds of Benin. The infection rates of various trypanotolerant breeds were not significantly different.