Prevalence and molecular characterization of typanosomes in dogs in Warri, Nigeria

Animal African Trypanosomosis (AAT) is a devastating protozoan disease of animal and humans caused by Trypanosoma spp. resulting in a great economic loss in the livestock industries, in the sub-Saharan Africa. A survey for canine trypanosomosis was carried out in Warri, Uvwie and Okpe Local Government Areas of Delta State, using molecular technique. A total of 110 dogs of different ages and sexes were randomly screened for trypanosome in Okpe (19), Uvwie (45) and Warri South (41) Local Government Areas of Delta State. Extracted DNA samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test using generic primers set that target the internal transcribes spacer 1 (ITS 1) (CF:5’-CCGGAAGTTCACCGATATTG-3’ and BR: 5’-TGCTGCGTTCTTCAACGAA- 3’) of ribosomal DNA (rDNA). The gel electrophoresis of the ITS1 PCR products of 5 samples revealed band sizes of 700 bp which corresponded with the expected band size of Trypanosoma congolense . One (5%) dog from Okpe was positive while Uvwie and Warri south recorded 2 (4.3%) and 2 (4.7%) positives, respectively. The prevalence was significantly higher in Nigerian indigenous dogs than exotic breeds of dogs. Overall prevalence was 5 (4.5%). We concluded that canine trypanosomosis is prevalent in Warri, Uvwie and Okpe Local Government Areas of Delta State. Keywords: Prevalence; molecular chacterization; trypanosomes; dogs; Warri