Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Bovine Trypanosomosis Using
Conventional Methods and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in the Blue Nile
State, Sudan

Khalda Abbass Elkhazeen1, Rihab Ali Yaji2,Diyaa Eldeen Ahmed Salih2, Rihab Ali Omer3
and Atif Elamin Abdelgadir4*
Page No.12-23

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of bovine trypanosomosis in cattle using conventional methods and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in the Blue Nile State, Sudan. The study was conducted in five localities (Ad-Damazin, Al- Rosayris, Qissan, Baw and AL- Tadamon) during rainy season and winter in the year of 2014. A total of 300 cattle were selected using random sample method. Hundred samples from resident group (Kennana) (70 females and 30 males), while 200 samples were collected from nomads group (Kennana: 10 females and 20 males and Fulani: 107 females and 63 males). All samples were collected from age groups 1-3 years and greater than 3 years.  Blood samples were collected and examined for the presence of bovine trypanosomosis using PCR techniques and parasite detection tests (wet smear, thin smear, thick smear and buffy coat). The apparent prevalence was as follow, 3 (1%) using wet smear, 3(1%)  thin smear film, 2 (0.67%) thick smear film , 3(1%) hematocrit centrifugation technique. T. vivax was the only spies recorded using conventional methods. Higher prevalence rate was recorded using PCR 35 (11.67%) and T. vivax and T. conglense were recorded by using this method. During the study, the prevalence rate of bovine trypanosomosis by age was 1.67% for age group (less than 3 years) and 10% for the second group (more than 3 years). Sex revealed that 2.33% were positive for males while 9.33% were positive for females. The prevalence rate by breed were found to be 11% for Flata (Ambararo) and 0.67 for Kenana, the data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science Programme (SPSS) and the difference was significant for above mentioned factors as follow, the age ( 7.019, p_ value .006), andbreed( 16.472, p_ value .000), but no significant for  sex ( 2.110, p_ value .104). The study revealed that the PCR is more sensitive than microscopic techniques. Hence,more studies are needed to determine   the types of trypanosomes species in the study area, particularly in tsetse infested areas as well as more research is required to find out the effect of the Rosaries Dam heightening and its effect on trypanosomes vectors occurrence.
Keywords: Trypanosomosis, Conventional methods, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Blue Nile State, Sudan.