In Burkina Faso, Glossina palpalis gambiensis Vanderplank and G. tachinoides Westwood (Diptera: Glossinidae) are the main cyclic vectors of trypanosomiasis. The vegetation type along river banks is an important factor determining the distribution and abundance of these tsetse. The following work investigated the relation between the plant species present (including the disturbance level) and tsetse distribution and abundance, using three ecotypes, described by P.C. Morel in 1978. These were the Guinean, Sudano-Guinean and Sudanese gallery forests. In the Mouhoun River basin, these three ecotypes are found successively from upstream to downstream. Berlinia grandiflora, Syzygium guineense and Cola laurifolia and finally Acacia seyal and Mitragyna inermis were the best indicators for the Guinean, Sudano-Guinean and Sudanese gallery forest ecotypes, respectively, as suggested by Morel. However, other species such as Pterocarpus santalinoides and Mimosa pigra were not ecotype specific. Trap catches confirmed that G. palpalis and G. tachinoides are predominant in Guinean and Sudanese gallery forests, respectively, and that both species are well represented in the Sudano-Guinean ecotype. Tsetse densities dropped significantly in disturbed Sudano-Guinean and Sudanese gallery forest sites. However, this was not the case for both species in Guinean or for G. tachinoides in half-disturbed Sudanese gallery forest sites, confirming their high resilience to human-made changes. The importance of a detailed consideration of riverine ecotypes when predicting tsetse densities is discussed.

Tsetse flies are very efficient cyclic vectors of African trypanosomosis. Since tsetse are generally infected by the first blood meal, as in the case of sleeping sickness for example, any propensity to feed on the same host a second time will improve transmission within this host species, whereas transmission between host species will decrease. To test this hypothesis we presented a monitor lizard and a cow in a stable to marked tsetse flies that had first fed on one of these two hosts. 80% of the teneral flies that fed did so on the cow when provided the choice. Among the flies having feeding experience, a disproportionately high number of flies that had fed on one host returned to this host for the second meal. We discuss the energetic advantages of such a learning behavior and its importance in sleeping sickness epidemiology. The findings are of relevance to the role played by such learning behavior in disease transmission by other insect vectors of zoonoses.

The epidemiology of vector-borne diseases is complex due to the variability in the ecology of the different actors involved, i.e. hosts, parasites and vectors. The transmission of African animal trypanosomosis in the West-African savannah region is an excellent example of this complexity: riverine tsetse flies have an heterogeneous distribution along the rivers, depending of suitable habitats, and transmit pathogenic trypanosomes were they use domestic animal as feeding hosts. Contrasting epidemiological situations may thus occur at the local scale, and a broad view of the overall environment is necessary to quantify the interfaces in time and space between hosts and vectors. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) can provide new insight into the study of such complex epidemiological processes. GIS is a powerful technology that has been used mainly in map-making, and an enormous amount of knowledge can be gained simply by geographical data projection. GIS also allows juxtaposition of different types of information, creation of new variables, testing of theories and correlation, and generating of predictive models. The purpose of the present paper is to exemplify the potential application of GIS using a recent study carried out on animal trypanosomosis in a cattle-raising area of Burkina Faso.

The present study was carried out in order to investigate if there was really a failure of PCR in identifying parasitologically positive tsetse flies in the field. Tsetse flies (Glossina palpalis gambiensis and Glossina morsitans morsitans) were therefore experimentally infected with two different species of Trypanosoma (Trypanosoma brucei gambiense or Trypanosoma congolense). A total of 152 tsetse flies were dissected, and organs of each fly (midgut, proboscis or salivary glands) were examined. The positive organs were then analysed using PCR. Results showed that, regardless of the trypanosome species, PCR failed to amplify 40 % of the parasitologically positive midguts. This failure, which does not occur with diluted samples, is likely to be caused by an inhibition of the amplification reaction. This finding has important implications for the detection and the identification of trypanosome species in wild tsetse flies.

The developmental status of two Trypanosoma species in experimentally infected Glossina was monitored by checking the anal drop and saliva of individual flies for parasites, at different times post-infection, using PCR and microscopy. PCR was clearly more sensitive than microscopy in detecting trypanosomes in saliva and anal drop, and to reveal mature infections, while it was not more sensitive in detecting infections in midguts. On the contrary, PCR failed to amplify about 40% of the parasitologically positive midguts, which has important implications in the field. This monitoring allowed to determine the kinetics of establishment and maturation of the parasites in Glossina and permitted successful identification of the parasitic status of tsetse flies without dissection. This should enable to analyse interactions between different Trypanosoma species in a same Glossina.

Following alarming statements (French Senate, Académie des Sciences) on the present situation concerning entomology and systematics in France, the Conseil Général Vétérinaire designated one of us (D.C.) to carry out a survey on the status of medical and veterinary entomology (MVE) with respect to research orientations and university curricula. Around 100 participants, including scientists, teachers and several directors of research and educational bodies, were interviewed and filled in questionnaires for this survey. On the basis of the results, it was concluded that the deterioration of MVE in France is associated with: (1) the hasty reorganisation of training and research in the life sciences, leading to the disappearance of several disciplines. Hence, the postgraduate DEA degree in entomology was eliminated, and even the name ‘entomology’ no longer appears in teaching programmes or on research contracts; (2) France's withdrawal from action research programmes in developing countries. Although these programmes were efficient in controlling outbreaks of major endemic diseases, integrated pest and vector management programmes have been replaced by basic health care (‘Health for everyone in 2000’) and vaccination programmes; (3) the general shift from field to laboratory research, focused mainly on molecular mechanisms. The survey results confirmed generally acknowledged trends concerning many points and highlighted several specific problems, such as the disappearance of systematics experts. Several potential solutions are proposed.

Teneral Glossina palpalis gambiensis and G. morsitans morsitans (Diptera: Glossinidae) were fed on mice infected with savannah-type Trypanosoma (Nannomonas) congolense. The infection was monitored by checking the post-feeding diuresis fluid (midgut infection) and saliva (mature infection) of individual flies for parasites, at different times post-infection, using microscopical examination and a PCR-based assay. The results indicated that both tsetse species supported established midgut infections by 10 days post-infection and that maturation occurred after 24 days in G. m. morsitans. Although, for both diuresis fluid and saliva, the results of the microscopy showed good concordance with those of the PCR, the PCR identified more positive samples. Monitoring allowed determination of the status of the infection in individual flies, which was confirmed, 48 days post-infection, by the microscopical examination of the midguts and probosces dissected out of the flies and by the PCR-based amplification of any trypanosome DNA in these organs. Again, in terms of the detection of trypanosomes in the dissected organs, there was good concordance between the results of the PCR and those of the microscopy, although PCR revealed many more mature infections than did microscopical examination, particularly in the G. p. gambiensis investigated.There was a higher prevalence of immature infection in G. p. gambiensis than in G. m. morsitans (P<0.05) but the inter-specific differences seen in the prevalences of any infection and of mature infection were not statistically significant. The intrinsic vectorial capacity for T. congolense of both tsetse species therefore appeared quite similar, although the true vectorial competence of G. p. gambiensis remains to be determined.

Recent studies in an agro-pastoral area of Burkina Faso showed that riparian tsetse flies (Glossina tachinoides and G. palpalis gambiensis) were present along the main rivers, but depending on their location, were not infected by the same species of trypanosomoses. Different epidemiological situations may occur at the very local scale and transmission risk assessment requires a global approach involving environmental and human parameters of hosts and vectors contacts. Various types of information on entomology, parasitology, ecology, land occupation and animal production systems were collected and combined in a GIS. High resolution remote sensing data and innovative modelling methods were used to describe tsetse habitats landscapes of the valley and cattle distribution. Finally, not more than 18% of the river network infected by tsetse flies were identified as transmission sites. Practical applications in term of vector and disease control are presented.

Teneral Glossina palpalis gambiensis (Diptera: Glossinidae) were infected with a culture of procyclic forms of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense using a single-bloodmeal membrane feeding technique. The infection was monitored by analysing the saliva (mature infection) and anal drop (midgut infection) of each fly at different post-infection times both by microscopic observation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Amplification revealed many more positive anal drops than microscopy. The monitoring showed that the installation of T. b. gambiense in Glossina took place at least 11 days after the infection and that maturation occurred after 29 days. It also reflected precisely the parasitic status of each tsetse fly as determined by the dissection, microscopic examination and PCR amplification of the midguts and salivary glands 47 days post-infection. Twice as many tsetse flies with mature salivary glands infection were revealed by PCR than by microscopic examination, but the two techniques gave exactly the same results regarding the proportion of flies with midgut infection. This study also demonstrated the ability of natural non-infective procyclic forms of T. b. gambiense, to colonise the midgut and subsequently establish in the salivary glands of G. p. gambiensis.

Modelling of the spatial distribution of bovine trypanosomosis prevalence in Sideradougou district Burkina Faso was performed by using a combination of spatial and statistical analysis. Based on a comprehensive and geographically representative census of herds and farms in the area, more than 2000 cattle were randomly chosen and their blood sampled during field survey. Data on livestock farming practices were recorded for each farm. All data were mapped within a GIS to generate new information on spatial constraints in the area. Surveys results were analysed and serological prevalence data were modelled using logistic regression. The model allowed identification and quantification of risk factors. In a second step the statistical model was used predictively on the entire farm population in the area. This method was successful in predicting the serological prevalence for each individual herd in the sample, from their livestock management patterns and spatial location. Predicted prevalences were represented within the GIS, taking daily movements of animals into account. Spatial distribution of prevalence would illustrate specific locations at risk from an epidemiological viewpoint. It gives evidence that the hydrological network and land occupation patterns in the savanna-type countryside are playing an important part when structuring a so-called "trypanosomosis space".

The epidemiology of aiziinal trypanosotnosis arouizd Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso, West Africa) benefited a lot in the last years s o m the progress of nzolecular tools. The two most used molecular techniques were the polymerase chaiii reaction for the diagnosis of the disease in cattle and the characterization of the trypanosomes in the host and the vector oit one hand, and the inicrosatellite DNA polymorphism in tsetseflies to study the intraspecìjìc genetic variability of the vector on the other haitd. The results obtained in the Sideradougou area during a recent two year survey with these techniques, associated with many other georeferenced informatioits concerning vector and cattle distribution, natural environment, landuse, ground occupatioiz, livestock management, were combined in a Geographical Information System. This new approach of a complex pathogenic system led to a better evaluation of the risk of trypanosome transmission.

Dans les études de dynamique de population des glossines, vecteurs des trypanosomoses en Afrique, la taille de l'insecte peut être mise en relation avec leur longévité et leur capacité vectorielle. La taille des individus est généralement appréciée par la mesure de nervures remarquables de l'aile. Un logiciel semi-automatique a été développé par le Cirad et l'IRD pour réaliser une série de mesures à partir de photos numérisées des ailes. Il a été utilisé sur des populations sauvages de Glossina tachinoides Westwood et G. palpalis gambiensis Vanderplank (Diptera : Glossinidae) capturées autour de Bobo Dioulasso, au Burkina Faso. A partir d'une photo de l'aile, réalisée sous une loupe binoculaire et numérisée, le logiciel calcule la longueur des segments alaires, le rapport entre ces segments, la surface de la cellule "en hache" caractéristique des glossines et le niveau de gris de la membrane. Ces variables ont révélé leur intérêt taxonomique pour la diagnose entre ces espèces, mais également apportent des informations sur les caractéristiques physiologiques de la population étudiée.

The size of tsetse flies is often associated with population dynamics and vectorial capacity parameters. Adult fly size is generally estimated from measurements of wing segments. To take measure of the wing, a semi-automatic software was developed by CIRAD-EMVT and IRD. It was used in wild populations of Glossina tachinoides Westwood and G. palpalis gambiensis Vanderplank (Diptera: Glossinidae) trapped near Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. From an numeric picture of the wing, the software calculates the length of vein segments, the ratios between these lengths, the surface of the tsetse characteristic "hatchet cell", and the greyness on the wings. The data were interesting at the level of taxonomy. In addition, they help specify physiological characteristics of the studied populations.

Recent studies in a rangeland area of Burkina Faso showed that riparian tsetse flies (Glossina tachinoides and G. palpalis gambiensis) were found along the main rivers, but depending on their location, they hod different hosts and were not infected by the some trypanosomoses. There were different epidemiological situations within a distance of a few kilometres, and local assessment of the trypanosome risk thus called for a global approach taking account of the environmental and human factors involved in the interfaces between hosts and vectors, Various types of information concerning entomology, parasitology, ecology, land occupation and animal production systems were fed into a Geographical Information System. High spatial resolution remote sensing tools and original modelling methods were used to detect the valley landscapes most favourable to tsetse flies, and describe land use by herds. The impact of trypanosomes appeared to depend largely on animal movements, watering practices and the degree of contact with riparian tsetse flies. Linking these ty aes of information revealed the most dangerous sites in epidemiological terms, which in this case represented some 18 % of the network initially surveyed.

Les trypanosomoses animales, transmises par les glossines (mouches tsé-tsé), constituent un enjeu de santé majeur en Afrique sub-saharienne. Les composantes spatiales des acteurs du système pathogène (hôte-vecteur-parasite) constituent le socle sur lequel repose le risque de transmission de la maladie. Une démarche originale de cartographie des densités de glossines et de bovins appliquée à une zone agro-pastorale du sud du Burkina Faso est mise en place, à partir de données de télédétection et à l'aide d'un système d'information géographique (SIC). Les biotopes des glossines sont replacés dans leur environnement au sein de «paysages» repérés sur l'image satellite. Les déplacements des troupeaux sont modélisés pour obtenir une carte de fréquentation de l'espace. Le croisement de ces informations aboutit à une modélisation de «paysages épidémiologique- ment dangereux», localisés et identifiés dans une perspective de lutte ciblée contre le vecteur et la maladie.

Recent studies in a rangeland area of Burkina Faso showed that riparian tsetse flies (Glossina tachinoides and G. palpalis gambiensis) were found along the main rivers, but depending on their location, they had different hosts and were not infected by the same trypanosomoses. There were different epidemiological situations within a distance of a few kilometres, and local assessment of the trypanosome risk thus called for a global approach taking account of the environmental and human factors involved in the interfaces between hosts and vectors. Various types of information concerning entomology, parasitology, ecology, land occupation and animal production systems were fed into a Geographical Information System. High spatial resolution remote sensing tools and original modelling methods were used to detect the valley landscapes most favourable to tsetse flies, and describe land use by herds. The impact of trypanosomes appeared to depend largely on animal movements, watering practices and the degree of contact with riparian tsetse flies. Linking these types of information revealed the most dangerous sites in epidemiological terms, which in this case represented some 18% of the network initially surveyed.

Changes in the distribution of two riverine tsetse flies, Glossina tachinoides Westwood and Glossina palpalis gambiensis Vanderplank are described in an agro-pastoral area of Burkina Faso subject to increasing human population pressure and land use change. Two similar entomological surveys (one trap every 100 m, 120 km of river) were conducted in 1981 and 1996. Changes in tsetse distribution were compared to land use changes through high resolution remote sensing imagery (LANDSAT, SPOT). There was a close relationship between proximity of crops relative to riverine forest and the density of Glossina. Where fields encroached on riverine vegetation, tsetse populations declined. Where the geomorphological structure was not well suited to agricultural activity, riverine vegetation and tsetse fly populations were relatively unaffected, even with intense agricultural activity nearby. In contrast, increased human activity and higher cattle densities in the surrounding savannah areas were associated with increased tsetse numbers. The results demonstrated a wide diversity of tsetse distribution and habitat within a few kilometres in an agro-pastoral landscape in West Africa.

The epidemiology of vector-borne diseases is complex due to variability in the ecology of the different actors involved, i.e., hosts, parasites and vectors. Transmission of animal trypanosomiasis in the West African savannah region is an excellent example of this complexity. Because of the importance of place and time in determining the interface between host and vector, a broad view of the overall environment is necessary to understand the variety of situations that can be encountered in an epidemiological system. Spatial distribution is a key factor for risk evaluation. State-of-the-art geographic information systems (GIS) have provided new insight into this complex epidemiology. GIS is a powerful technology that has been used mainly in map-making. An enormous amount of knowledge can be gained simply by geographical data projection. However GIS also allows juxtaposition of different types of information, creation of new variables, testing of theories and correlations, and generation of predictive models. The purpose of this article is to exemplify the potential applications of GIS using a recent study carried out on animal trypanosomiasis in a cattle-raising area of Burkina Faso.

Intraspecific genetic variability of Glossina palpalis gambiensis in the area of Sideradougou, Burkina Faso, was studied using polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers. This genetic study was combined with other epidemiological information on the same tsetse: bloodmeal identification, dissection of tsetse and molecular characterization of the trypanosomes detected. There was significant genetic differentiation among flies caught only a few kilometers apart, within the same riverine habitat. These distinct subpopulations were also differentially infected by trypanosomes. In part of the study area, a Factorial Correspondence Analysis undertaken on the genotypes allowed us to detect a Wahlund effect, suggesting the presence of tsetse originating from different source populations coming from two distinct drainage systems. The apparent structuring of populations of G. palpalis gambiensis is discussed relative to appropriate strategies to control African Trypanosomosis.

African animal trypanosomoses constitute the most important vector-borne cattle diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. Generally it is considered that there is a great lack of accurate tools for the diagnosis of the disease. During a trypanosomosis survey in the agro-pastoral zone of Sideradougou, Burkina Faso, 1036 cattle were examined for trypanosomes using microscopy. The PCR was applied on a subset of 260 buffy-coat samples using primers specific for Trypanosoma congolense savannah and riverine-forest groups, T. vivax, and T. brucei. Parasitological examination and the molecular technique were compared, showing a better efficiency of the latter. In the near future, the PCR is likely to become an efficient tool to estimate the prevalence of African trypanosomoses in affected areas.