Parasitological and molecular identification of Trypanosoma species circulating in cattle and tsetse flies in Matutuine District, Maputo Province, Mozambique

Tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae) are haematophagous insects of medical and veterinary importance due to their role in the transmission of trypanosomes. Tsetse-transmitted trypanosomosis is one of the major constraints to agriculture and livestock development in sub-Saharan Africa. Thus, the importance of the assessment of the distribution of both disease and vector in areas where cattle are kept, as is the case of Matutuíne district, where the last longitudinal study was conducted in 2000. From March 2009 to December 2012, 2427 bovine blood samples were collected in five administrative areas of Matutine district (Bela Vista, Zitundo, Catuane, Catembe and Machangulo). For each animal, the packed cell volume (PCV) was determined and blood examined for the presence of motile trypanosomes using microscopy. At the same time, tsetse flies were also captured. Additionally, DNA was extracted from both cattle blood and tsetse flies. The samples were further analysed using the 18S PCR–RFLP. Trypanosome infections in bovines were detected in all Matutuíne´s administrative areas. The overall prevalence of trypanosome infections was 15.62% by buffy coat and 47.34% by molecular testing. A total of 1379 tsetse flies (1379 Glossina brevipalpis and 150 G. austeni ) were captured. From this, 408 were analysed by 18S PCR for the presence of trypanosomes. The results showed a percentage of infection of 12.74% and 3.19% for G. brevipalpis and G. austeni, respectively. With these results, it is concluded that tsetse-transmitted trypanosomosis is a major threat to cattle in Matutuine and control actions need to be implemented.