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Using Fluorescent Proteins to Monitor Glycosome Dynamics in the African Trypanosome
Published on: August 19, 2014
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Remarkable richness of trypanosomes in tsetse flies (Glossina morsitans morsitans and Glossina pallidipes) from the
Herakles A Garcia1, Carla M F Rodrigues1, Adriana C Rodrigues1
1Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Summary
African wild ungulates harbor diverse trypanosomes, with tsetse flies in Mozambique revealing 12 species/genotypes. This study highlights significant, previously underestimated trypanosome diversity in wildlife protected areas.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Molecular Ecology
- African Entomology
Background:
- Trypanosomes transmitted by tsetse flies pose risks to human and livestock health in Africa.
- The diversity of trypanosomes within wild tsetse fly populations, particularly in wildlife reserves, is not well understood.
- Accurate identification of trypanosome species is crucial for disease surveillance and control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular diversity of trypanosomes in tsetse flies from Gorongosa National Park and Niassa National Reserve in Mozambique.
- To identify trypanosome species and genotypes present in Glossina morsitans morsitans and Glossina pallidipes.
- To assess the richness and prevalence of trypanosome infections in these tsetse fly populations.
Main Methods:
- Collection and identification of 3086 tsetse flies from two wildlife reserves in Mozambique.
- Microscopic examination of tsetse guts for trypanosome detection.
- Application of fluorescent fragment length barcoding (FFLB) for sensitive molecular identification of trypanosomes.
- Analysis of trypanosome species composition in both tsetse guts and proboscises.
Main Results:
- FFLB identified 12 trypanosome species/genotypes in two tsetse fly species, Glossina morsitans morsitans and Glossina pallidipes.
- Trypanosoma congolense (Savannah, Kilifi, Forest), T. simiae (Tsavo and other groups), T. godfreyi, subgenus Trypanozoon, T. vivax/T. vivax-like, and T. suis/T. suis-like were detected.
- Mixed trypanosome infections were common (64%), with higher complexity observed in Niassa National Reserve.
- No human pathogens were detected, but all trypanosomes pathogenic to ungulates were present.
Conclusions:
- This study reports the greatest trypanosome species richness documented in tsetse flies in any African country to date.
- The findings underscore the importance of wildlife protected areas as reservoirs of trypanosome diversity.
- The use of FFLB significantly enhanced the detection of known and potentially novel trypanosome species in tsetse flies.
