Molecular Detection of Trypanosomes and Xenomonitoring of Host Range from the Feeding Patterns of Glossina Species Collected from Northern Guinea Savannah of Nigeria

Abstract Background Trypanosomiasis is a vector-borne protozoan disease that is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa. In Nigeria, efforts to control trypanosomiasis include vector control, diagnosis, and treatment of the infection. These efforts exclude actions targeting reservoir hosts. This study was therefore undertaken to address these epidemiological and surveillance gaps. Methods For this purpose, Glossina species were trapped at Ijah Gbagyi and Yankari Games Resort. The hunger stage of the 220 dissected flies was categorised, blood meal was determined by COI and Cyt b gene tests. Trypanosomes were identified from samples taken from Glossina species flies. Trypanosomes were identified from the proboscis, salivary glands and midgut of tsetse flies from which the blood meal was obtained by amplifying the ITS1 rDNA gene. Results The results indicate a hunger stage of 2.72%, 34.09%, 63.18% for engorged, intermediate and starved flies respectively. The dominant host of Glossina palpalis palpalis was man, cattle, bird, squirrel, chimpanzee, bush pig and monitor lizard. Glossina morsitans submorsitans (man, bush pig, rat, buffalo, gazelle and guinea pig) and Glossina tachinoides (buffalo, warthog, antelope and guinea pig). Overall infection rates of Trypanosoma vivax (20.6%), Trypanosoma grayi (37.1%), Trypanosoma theleri (29.8%), Trypanosoma brucei spp. (3.1%) and Trypanosoma congolense (9.2%) were recorded. Conclusion These results suggest that wild animals acting as reservoir hosts are the source of the Trypanosoma species transmitted by Glossina .