Epidemiology of Trypanocidal Drug Resistance in the Transmara District of Kenya

Abstract

The sensitivity profile of 10 isolates of Trypanosoma congolense isolated from parasitaemic local Zebu cattle in transmara District, Kenya, to therapeutic doses of both diminazene aceturate and isometamidium chloride was determined in laboratory mice. Using discriminatory dosage rates of 10 mg/kg and 1 mg/ kg for diminazene and isometamidium respectively, eight isolates were sensitive to diminazene while two showed resistance. Of these isolates, only three were sensitive to isometamidium while three showed multiple drug resistance. Thus, multiple-drug resistance appeared to be highly prevalent in cattle from the Transmara area. These results indicate an urgent need to re-evaluate current control measures of trypanosomosis in Transmara district.