Variation in the Rate of Infection of Cattle by Trypanosoma spp. in the Sub-Humid Zone of Mali

Abstract

In sub-Saharan Africa, livestock farming in general, and cattle farming in particular, is a source of income for many people. This activity tends to intensify in urban and peri-urban areas. Like many other livestock-raising countries, Mali faces several constraints, including African Animal Trypanosomiasis (AAT), which affects herd productivity and thus threatens food security. Several factors can influence the transmission of this disease, including the host-parasite-vector relationship, animal phenotypes, and climate. In Mali, the susceptibility of cattle breeds to trypanosome infection has been poorly documented. This study was aimed to determine the factors influencing the transmission of AAT in the sub-humid zone of Mali. Bi-seasonal sampling was carried out in 2011 on 720 cattle taken in a stratified and random fashion. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein and the WOO diagnostic technique was used. Factors such as phenotype, season, prophylactic treatment, and infection rate were considered. The results showed that among these variance factors, phenotype, prophylactic treatment, and haematocrit level were positively correlated with the infection rate of cattle (P<0.05%). The variation in the infection rate recorded during the different seasons was not significant (P>0.05%).