SEARCHCROSS-SECTIONALveterinary medicine, tropical medicine

cross-sectional·veterinary medicine, tropical medicine, infectious disease, parasitology·PMC10058033

Trypanosome Infections and Anemia in Cattle Returning from Transhumance in Tsetse-Infested Areas of Cameroon

Microorganisms · 6 authors, 6 centres

AI SUMMARY

FIDELITY 100%

POPULATION405 Zebu Gudali cattle (3–12 years old, 100 males, 305 females) returning from 5 months of transhumance in Yoko, Center region, Cameroon, sampled in four villages (Bamti Mbam, Djoundé, Ngaoundal, Ngatt) in the Djerem Division, Adamawa Region.

INTERVENTIONAssessment of trypanosome infections using immunological test (Very Diag Kit) and PCR-based methods (ITS1 amplification, species-specific primers), and anemia status via packed cell volume (PCV) measurement.

COMPARISONInfection rates and PCV values compared between villages; infected vs. uninfected cattle; Very Diag Kit vs. PCR results.

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TL;DR

This study assessed trypanosome infections and anemia in 405 Zebu Gudali cattle returning from transhumance in tsetse-infested areas of Cameroon. PCR revealed a 68.6% infection rate with four trypanosome species, while the Very Diag Kit showed 76.5% infection; mean packed cell volume (PCV) was 23.15%, indicating widespread anemia. The findings highlight the need for systematic treatment of cattle returning from transhumance to improve health and prevent disease spread.

Full summary

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**Background:** In sub-Saharan Africa, transhumance is a common practice where herders move cattle seasonally to access better pastures and water. However, this movement often forces herds to cross tsetse-infested areas, exposing them to animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT), a vector-borne disease causing significant economic losses. While insecticides are applied before transhumance, cattle are typically untreated upon return. This study aimed to assess trypanosome infection rates and anemia status in cattle immediately after returning from transhumance in tsetse-infested regions of Cameroon, a context that has been previously overlooked.

**Methods:** Blood samples were collected in May 2020 from 405 Zebu Gudali cattle (100 males, 305 females; 3–12 years old) across four villages (Bamti Mbam, n=100; Djoundé, n=105; Ngaoundal, n=100; Ngatt, n=100) in the Djerem Division, Adamawa Region, Cameroon. Cattle had just returned from 5 months of transhumance in Yoko (Center region), approximately 202 km away, crossing tsetse-infested areas including the Mbam and Djerem animal reserves. Anemia was assessed using packed cell volume (PCV), with anemia defined as PCV < 25%. Trypanosome infections were detected using the Very Diag Kit (immunological test for T. congolense and T. vivax) and PCR-based methods targeting the ITS1 region of ribosomal DNA, with species-specific primers to differentiate T. congolense savannah type (Tcs), T. congolense forest type (Tcf), T. vivax (Tvx), and T. brucei s.l. (Tbr). Statistical analyses used chi-square tests, ANOVA, and Student's t-test with significance at p < 0.05.

**Key Results:** The Very Diag Kit showed a global infection rate of 76.5% (310/405), with 37.8% for T. congolense s.l., 18.0% for T. vivax, and 20.7% for mixed infections. No significant differences were found between villages (χ² = 1.408; p = 0.704). PCR revealed a global infection rate of 68.6% (278/405), with 54.3% single infections and 14.3% mixed infections. Tcs was predominant (31.8%), followed by Tvx (9.4%), Tcf (6.9%), and Tbr (6.2%). Significant differences between villages were found for overall infection (χ² = 7.91; p = 0.05), mixed infections (χ² = 13.36; p = 0.004), and Tbr infections (χ² = 8.67; p = 0.03). The Very Diag Kit and PCR showed similar T. congolense s.l. rates (37.8% vs. 38.8%), but the Kit reported nearly double the T. vivax rate (18% vs. 9.4%). Mean PCV across all cattle was 23.15% (SD 4.365), indicating anemia. PCV varied significantly between villages (F = 3.8; p = 0.01): Bamti Mbam 22.36, Djoundé 23.58, Ngaoundal 24.12, Ngatt 22.54. Both infected and uninfected cattle were anemic (mean PCV < 25%), with no significant difference in PCV between infected and uninfected groups. Infection by specific trypanosome species did not significantly affect anemia severity.

**Clinical Implications:** This study demonstrates that cattle returning from transhumance in tsetse-infested areas of Cameroon harbor high trypanosome infection rates (68.6–76.5%) and are universally anemic (mean PCV 23.15%). The lack of correlation between infection and anemia suggests other factors (e.g., long travel distances of 50–200 km, concurrent parasitic infections, nutritional stress) may contribute to poor health. The discrepancy between the Very Diag Kit and PCR for T. vivax detection (18% vs. 9.4%) raises concerns about the specificity of the immunological test and highlights the need for confirmatory PCR testing. The findings strongly recommend systematic trypanocidal treatment and nutritional support for all cattle returning from transhumance to improve health and prevent the spread of trypanosome infections to other herds and regions.

PICO

PPOPULATION

405 Zebu Gudali cattle (3–12 years old, 100 males, 305 females) returning from 5 months of transhumance in Yoko, Center region, Cameroon, sampled in four villages (Bamti Mbam, Djoundé, Ngaoundal, Ngatt) in the Djerem Division, Adamawa Region.

IINTERVENTION

Assessment of trypanosome infections using immunological test (Very Diag Kit) and PCR-based methods (ITS1 amplification, species-specific primers), and anemia status via packed cell volume (PCV) measurement.

OOUTCOME

Trypanosome infection rates (single, mixed, by species), PCV values, anemia prevalence (PCV < 25%).

STUDY TYPE

cross-sectional

SPECIALTY

veterinary medicine

SUMMARISED BY

AI pipeline

FIDELITY CHECK

100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10058033

Trypanosome Infections and Anemia in Cattle Returning from Transhumance in Tsetse-Infested Areas of Cameroon

Microorganisms

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ABSTRACT

Abstract The objective of this work was to assess the anemic status and the use of an immunological test and PCR-based methods to determine the infection rates of trypanosomes species. Transhumance aims to provide cattle with greener pastures and greater water resources than in the Djerem region during the dry season. Two criteria were used to assess the health status of the animals, the prevalence of trypanosomiasis and the level of anemia. In addition, we have evaluated the effectiveness, in trypanosomiasis detection, of the Very Diag Kit (CEVA Santé animale), a Rapid diagnosis test (RDT) based on immunological identification of T. congolense s.l. and T. vivax , responsible for AAT. Four trypanosome species ( Trypanosoma congolense savannah type (Tcs), T. congolense forest type (Tcf), T. brucei s.l. (Tbr) and T. vivax (Tvx)) were identified in cattle sampled in four villages. The overall infection rate determined by PCR (68.6%) was much higher than those generally reported in cattle from the Adamawa region (35 to 50%). Infections (including mixed infections) by Tc s.l. (Tcs + Tcf) were predominant (45.7%). The infection rates were also determined using the Very Diag Kit allowing us to identify Tc s.l. and Tvx in the field in less than 20 min. This method provided, for the global infection, a higher rate (76.5%) than that determined by PCR (68.6%), although it is supposed to be less sensitive than PCR. Tc s.l. infection rate (37.8%) was similar to that (38.8%) determined by PCR (Tcs + Tcf single infections). In contrast, the prevalence of Tvx single infections measured by RDT (18%) was nearly two-fold higher than that (9.4%) measured by PCR. Thus, further comparative analyses seem to be needed in order to more accurately assess the sensitivity and specificity of the Very Diag test under our conditions of use on blood samples. The mean PCVs in trypanosome-infected as well as in uninfected cattle were below 25%, the threshold below which an animal is considered anemic. Our study shows that cattle return from transhumance in poor health. It raises questions about its real benefit, especially since the herds are themselves likely to become vectors of trypanosomiasis and possibly of other diseases. At least, effective measures have to be undertaken to treat all cattle coming back from transhumance. Keywords: cattle trypanosomiasis, transhumance, packed-cell volume, trypanosome species, immunological test, PCR-based method, Cameroon

CITATION EXPORT

Oumarou Farikou, Gustave Simo, Flobert Njiokou et al.. Trypanosome Infections and Anemia in Cattle Returning from Transhumance in Tsetse-Infested Areas of Cameroon. Microorganisms. (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11030712

AUTHORS

6 · 6 CENTRES

Oumarou Farikou, Gustave Simo, Flobert Njiokou, Ginette Irma Kamé Ngassé, Martin Achiri Fru, Anne Geiger

1Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences (BMS), University of Bamenda, Bambili P.O. Box 39, Cameroon
2Molecular Parasitology and Entomology Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang P.O. Box. 67, Cameroon
3Faculty of Sciences, Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, University of Yaounde I, Yaoundé P.O. Box 812, Cameroon
4Institute of Medical Research and Plant Medicinal Studies (IMPM), Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation, Yaoundé P.O. Box 13033, Cameroon
5Special Mission for Tsetse Fly Eradication, Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, Ngaoundere P.O. BOX 812, Cameroon
6Institut de Recherche Pour le Développement, UMR INTERTRYP, 34398 Montpellier, France