Impact of tsetse control on the age-specific prevalence of trypanosomosis in village cattle in southeast Uganda.

The prevalence of trypanosomosis, mean packed cell volume and anti-trypanosomal antibody levels in village cattle of different age groups (< 0.5 year, 0.5-2 years, > 2-5 years and > 5 years) in the areas with tsetse control were compared with those of corresponding age groups in areas without tsetse control in Tororo, southeast Uganda. The prevalence of trypanosomosis in cattle in the age groups of 0.5-2 years, > 2-5 years and > 5 years in the areas with tsetse control was significantly lower than in cattle in similar age groups in the areas without tsetse control (p < 0.5). Trypanosoma vivax was the most predominant Trypanosoma species in the areas with tsetse control, while T. congolense was the most predominant species in the areas without tsetse control. The mean Trypanosoma antibody levels in cattle in the age groups < 0.5 year, 0.5-2 years and > 2-5 years in the areas with tsetse control were significantly lower than those of the similar age groups in the areas without tsetse control (p < 0.5). The mean PCV values for cattle in the age groups 0.5-2 years, > 2-5 years and > 5 years from the areas with tsetse control were significantly higher than those of the similar age groups in the areas without tsetse control. Tsetse control appeared to have a considerable impact on the prevalence of trypanosomosis, distribution of Trypanosoma species, specific antibody levels and the packed cell volume of cattle in the different age groups.