Animal trypanosomosis: An important constraint for livestock in tropical and sub-tropical regions

Abstract

Trypanosomosis is an important constraint to the livestock production in many parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America. Tsetse-transmitted trypanosomosis (nagana) is a disease complex caused particularly by Trypanosoma vivax, T. congolense and T. brucei brucei. Non tsetse-transmitted trypanosomosis, on the other hand, is principally caused by T. evansi (surra), a widely distributed pathogenic trypanosome affecting livestock, but T. equiperdum and T. cruzi are also relevant pathogenic trypanosomes. From an economic viewpoint, it has been estimated that trypanosomosis reduces the cattle population between 30percent and 50percent and the production of milk and meat by at least 50percent in those infected areas of Africa. The presence of Trypanosoma vivax in and out of Africa transmitted by mechanical vectors rather than tsetse flies or the recent descriptions of T. evansi and T. equiperdum in European countries could pose a new threat for animal production in those territories. The purpose of this chapter is to review the current knowledge of the pathogenic trypanosomes that affect livestock, including the economic impact and control programs.© 2012 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.