Identification and selection of cattle naturally resistant to African trypanosomiasis

Cattle were exposed to natural trypanosome challenge in an area of high Glossina density (Samandéni, Burkina Faso) for various periods of time during 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985. All of 30 Zebu proved to be sensitive to trypanosomiasis i.e. they died or were treated in extremis in 10 +/- 4 weeks. Twenty-one (31%) Baoulé were as sensitive as the Zebu while 47 (69%) were resistant i.e. they survived in good condition. Twenty Ndama/Baoulé crosses, indigenous to Samandéni were all resistant. Weekly blood samples were taken (2,317 in total) for the determination of parasitaemia and packed cell volume (PCV) as a measure of anaemia, the most important pathological feature of cattle trypanosomiasis. In both Zebu and sensitive Baoulé 59% of the blood samples showed positive parasitaemia, of which 38% and 52% respectively were T. congolense the major cattle pathogen in the area considered. In resistant Baoulé and Ndama/Baoulé 11% and 10% of the samples were positive for trypanosomes of which only 4% and 2% were T. congolense respectively. PCV decreased from 35 to 20 in Zebu, 39 to 20 in sensitive Baoulé and 40 to 34 in resistant Baoulé, there was no change in the indigenous Ndama/Baoulé. Six Ndama/Baoulé indigenous to Samandéni remained resistant to trypanosomiasis when moved to another area of high Glossina challenge. Seven Ndama/Baoulé calves, conceived in Samandéni but born and kept for 2 1/2 years in a Glossina-free area, also proved to be resistant to challenge. Twelve Baoulé calves, born from cattle selected under natural field challenge, and which had not come in contact with trypanosomes for the first 10 months of their life, proved to be resistant when exposed in the field. These observations show that some, but not all, cattle from the Baoulé breed are naturally resistant to African trypanosomiasis, that this resistance does not need repeated exposure to trypanosomes early in life but appears to be inherited and functional against many types of antigenically different trypanosomes. Thus, selective breeding of trypanoresistant animals and their successful introduction, without trypanocidal drug protection, into areas of high Glossina density appears feasible.