Comparison of Trypanosoma grayi-like isolates from west and east Africa

Three flagellates recently isolated from the hindguts of tsetse flies in West Africa were compared with a previously described T. grayi-like trypanosome isolated in East Africa. In media with Microtus agrestis feeder layer cells, the flagellates developed into bloodstream-like trypomastigotes, which resembled the description of T. grayi from the blood of crocodiles. The results of isoenzyme electrophoresis suggest that the isolates are T. grayi-like trypanosomes, and that some variation exists between the West and East African stocks of these reptile trypanosomes.