Characterization of Trypanosomes and Determination of Trypanosome Immunogenic Proteins in Cattle in Ghana (original) (raw)

Livestock production is one of the farming systems and has a great impact on food and economic security in most developing countries. Animal African trypanosomiasis is a major limitation to livestock production in Africa, particularly cattle production. The disease is caused by Trypanosoma spp., a broad range of protozoan parasites of wild and domestic animals through cyclical and mechanical transmission. Cross-sectional studies conducted in Ghana reveal the common species of trypanosomes infecting cattle using molecular techniques as T. brucei brucei, T. congolense, T. vivax, T. theileri and T. simiae. Despite the seriousness of the disease, no study has been conducted on lifetime trypanosome infections in Ghanaian cattle. Antigenic variation of the variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) of trypanosomes is a hindrance to the successful viii TABLE OF CONTENTS