Seroprevelance of Trypanosoma evansi infection in dairy cattle in Khartoum State, Sudan

Abstract

Trypanosoma evansi parasite has a wide range of distribution throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world. In this study we have investigated the prevalence of the disease in dairy cattle in Khartoum State, Sudan using the card agglutination test (CATT/T. evansi) which is recommended by OIE. Within 304 blood samples, antibodies against T. evansi were detected in 91 (29.9%). Antibodies against T. evansi were detected in 31 (31%) animals in Omdurman, 29 (28.4%) animals in Khartoum and 31 (30.4%) animals in East Nile localities. With regard to sex, antibodies were detected in 13 (21%) male’s samples and in 78 (32.2%) female’s samples. While within different age groups, antibodies against T. evansi were detected in 36 (25.7%) of animals ˂ 1year old, in 10 (30.3%) of animals between 1-3 years old and in 45 (34.4%) of animals ˃3 years. In all risk factors assessed, there was no significant statistical difference recorded. The finding that bovine trypanosomosis caused by T. evansi is highly prevalent in the country, suggests the need for stringent control policies and the establishment of measures to help prevent the spread of the parasites within cattle and cattle to other susceptible animals like camels. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on cattle trypanosomosis caused by T. evansi infection in Khartoum State, Sudan.