Variation in disease phenotype is marked in equine trypanosomiasis

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Parasitology
• Equine Health
• Tropical Diseases

Background:

• Equine trypanosomiasis significantly impacts working equids in lower-income countries, causing high morbidity and mortality.
• Current disease management strategies are often ineffective and prohibitively expensive.
• Host factors influencing disease variation remain understudied in equids.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate host factors and clinical variability in equine trypanosomiasis.
• To compare disease phenotypes between horses and donkeys.
• To explore the association between infection status and clinical signs.

Main Methods:

• Prospective clinical evaluation of equines in hyperendemic villages in The Gambia.
• Assessment of clinical parameters including body condition, haematocrit, and temperature.
• PCR analysis for Trypanosoma spp. detection and correlation with clinical and clinicopathological data.

Main Results:

• High morbidity observed; PCR status showed no association with a defined disease phenotype.
• Donkeys exhibited higher Trypanosoma spp. positivity and fever, while horses showed more anemia and poorer body condition.
• Male equids were more anemic and febrile; haemoparasite co-infections were common.

Conclusions:

• Evidence of diverse clinical signs and variable disease phenotypes within equid subpopulations requires further investigation.
• The complex co-infection profile in field cases necessitates improved disease management strategies.
• Host variation presents potential targets for novel treatment and control strategies.