Modulation of mitochondrial electrical potential: a candidate mechanism for drug resistance in African trypanosomes

Bloodstream forms of four populations of the livestock pathogen Trypanosoma congolense, isolated from different natural infections, have been shown to exhibit a wide range of sensitivities to the trypanocide isometamidium chloride (Samorin(R)). In mice the 50% curative doses (CD50) for Samorin range from 0.007 to 20 mg/kg body weight. Uptake of isometamidium chloride demonstrated Michaelis-Menten-type kinetics in all the populations, with Km values in the range 0.35-0.87 microM, and Vmax varied from 17 to 216 pmol/min per 10(8) cells. The magnitude of Vmax was correlated with sensitivity to the drug. In contrast, no correlation was observed between Km values and drug sensitivity. Pulse-chase experiments indicated two compartments for accumulation of drug. The first consists of freely diffusible drug that is invariant between populations; the other consists of retained isometamidium, which is of variable magnitude between the populations and is correlated with drug sensitivity. Autoradiography and fluorescence microscopy demonstrated initial, rapid accumulation of the drug within the mitochondrion, specifically the kinetoplast. In a drug-sensitive population of T. congolense, agents affecting mitochondrial function were shown to produce dose-dependent inhibition of mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsimito), as measured by the accumulation of the lipophilic cations [3H]methyltriphenylphosphonium iodide or rhodamine 123. The agents also produced parallel inhibition of isometamidium uptake, suggesting an involvement of DeltaPsimito in the accumulation of the drug. When characterized in each of the four populations, the spontaneous DeltaPsimito was shown to be characteristic of each population and was correlated with Vmax for drug uptake and sensitivity to the drug in vitro and in vivo. We therefore conclude that in T. congolense DeltaPsimito is an important determinant of the rate and accumulation of the trypanocide isometamidium chloride. Populations of this trypanosome species vary with respect to DeltaPsimito, which is correlated with sensitivity to isometamidium. We suggest that when exposed to drug, the selection of such populations represents a novel mechanism of drug resistance in protozoan parasites.

Comparison of the susceptibility of different Glossina species to simple and mixed infections with Trypanosoma (Nannomonas) congolense savannah and riverine forest types

Teneral Glossina morsitans mositans, G.m.submorsitans, G.palpalis gambiensis and G.tachinoides were allowed to feed on rabbits infected with Trypanosoma congolense savannah type or on mice infected with T.congolense riverine-forest type. The four tsetse species and subspecies were also infected simultaneously in vitro on the blood of mice infected with the two clones of T.congolense via a silicone membrane. The infected tsetse were maintained on rabbits and from the day 25 after the infective feed, the surviving tsetse were dissected in order to determine the infection rates. Results showed higher mature infection rates in morsitans-group tsetse flies than in palpalis-group tsetse flies when infected with the savannah type of T.congolense. In contrast, infection rates with the riverine-forest type of T.congolense were lower, and fewer flies showed full development cycle. The intrinsec vectorial capacity of G.m.submorsitans for the two T.congolense types was the highest, whereas the intrinsic vectorial capacity of G.p.gambiensis for the Savannah type and G.m.morsitans for the riverine-forest type were the lowest. Among all tsetse which were infected simultaneously with the two types of T.congolense, the polymerase chain reaction detected only five flies which had both trypanosome taxa in the midgut and the proboscis. All the other infections were attributable to the savannah type. The differences in the gut of different Glossina species and subspecies allowing these two sub-groups of T.congolense to survive better and undergo the complete developmental cycle more readily in some species than other are discussed.

Cytoskeletal architecture and components involved in the attachment of Trypanosoma congolense epimastigotes

Scanning and transmission electron microscopy of Trypanosoma congolense epimastigotes attached to a plastic substratum shows them to elaborate a complex flagellum filament system and plaque with a highly organized structure. Non-ionic detergent extraction of these cells shows that the resulting cytoskeletons remain attached to the plaque. The subpellicular corset of microtubules can be removed by salt or Ca2+ treatment leaving the axoneme, paraflagellar rod, associated filaments and the plaque. Neither of these treatments therefore removed the plaque-associated material from the substratum. Analysis of these fractions by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis reveals an abundant 70 kDa protein that is highly enriched in the salt extracted 'minimal plaque' structures and appears likely to be a major constituent of this structure. These studies reveal that the complex filament and microtubule systems of the cytoskeleton involved the attachment of trypanosomes to substrata and have established a method of biochemical fractionation of the structures and components involved.

Effect of diminazene aceturate on the infectivity and transmissibility of drug-resistant Trypanosoma congolense in Glossina morsitans centralis

To determine the duration after treatment of cattle with diminazene aceturate that the drug influences the tsetse infectivity and transmissibility of a drug-resistant Trypanosoma congolense, six Boran cattle were infected with T. congolense IL 3338 via the bites of Glossina morsitans centralis. At the first peak of parasitaemia, different groups of 120 teneral G. m. centralis were fed on one occasion on each animal, 1 h before treatment with diminazene aceturate at a dose of 3.5 mg kg-1 body weight. Thereafter, on Days 1, 2, 3, 7, 14 and 21 after treatment, six different groups of 120 teneral G. m. centralis were similarly fed on each animal. After 28 days maintenance on uninfected goats, all the flies were probed onto slides at 37 degrees C to identify those extruding metacyclic trypanosomes. Flies with mature infections from each group were then fed on one occasion on individual mice to determine the transmissibility index. After dissection of flies on Day 30 after their feed on the cattle, the mean mature (+/-SE) infection rates in the seven groups of flies were 32.1 +/- 2.2, 1.0 +/- 0.7, 0.4 +/- 0.4, 0.5 +/- 0.3, 20.0 +/- 1.7, 33.3 +/- 2.2 and 23.4 +/- 2.0% for flies fed on Days 0, 1, 2, 3, 7, 14 and 21 after treatment with diminazene, respectively. The transmissibility rates for the seven groups ranged from 94 to 100%. Thus, when cattle were infected with a diminazene-resistant T. congolense, treatment with diminazene aceturate caused a substantial reduction in the ability of the trypanosomes to establish mature infections in tsetse for at least the first 7 days after treatment. In contrast, no significant effect on the transmissibility of the parasites to mice was observed at different intervals after treatment.

[Experimental infection of Glossina morsitans morsitans (Mall) with Trypanosoma congolense (ZRE/G143/90). Parasite cycle and vector competence in the tsetse fly]

This report presents an experimental study of the life cycle of Trypanosoma congolense (ZRE/G 143/90) in relation to the vectorial competence of Glossina morsitans (Mall). The rate of engorgement at the time of an infectious meal and the mortality before day 15 of the life cycle were not significantly different between male and female flies. The mesocyclic forms of trypanosomes were regularly observed in the proventriculus, crop duct, oesophagus, cibarium and proboscis, except in the crop. On day 12 of the cycle, epimastigote forms were predominant in the proboscis. On day 13 of metacyclogenesis, four out of six rats (67%) used for feeding the flies were positive for trypanosomes upon buffy coat examination. These results demonstrate the short incubation period of trypanosomes in the vertebrate host and precociousness of the vectorial competence of some individuals of G m morsitans (Mall). Among the three cyclic stages, only the procyclic forms in the intestine showed a significant difference between the sexes, the male flies being more infected than the females. Metacyclogenesis undergoes three cleavages leading to the successive and permanent establishment of the procyclic, mesocyclic and metacyclic forms in the midgut, proventriculus and proboscis respectively.

Trypanosoma congolense: developmental regulation of protein kinases and tyrosine phosphorylation during the life cycle

In higher eukaryotes, key steps in the control of growth and proliferation are regulated by protein phosphorylation. However, little is known about the role of protein phosphorylation in the developmental cycles of pathogenic protozoa. In Trypanosoma brucei, only the bloodform and procyclic form stages can be obtained in sufficient numbers for biochemical analyses. However, the entire life cycle of Trypanosoma congolense can be generated in vitro, providing sufficient material for analyses of the different developmental stages. The studies reported here provide a series of snapshots documenting the activity of a number of protein serine/threonine kinases and the pattern of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins throughout the T. congolense developmental cycle. Metacyclic forms and mammalian bloodforms showed similar profiles of protein kinase activity, as did procyclic forms and epimastigotes. Most tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins were shared between all developmental stages, with the exception of a 100-kDa metacyclic-specific species. The developmental changes in molecules involved in protein phosphorylation in the different developmental stages support the concept that changes in protein phosphorylation networks are important correlates of the developmental process in African trypanosomes.

Relationships between host blood factors and proteases in Glossina morsitans subspecies infected with Trypanosoma congolense

Host blood effects on Trypanosoma congolense establishment in Glossina morsitans morsitans and Glossina morsitans centralis were investigated using goat, rabbit, cow and rhinoceros blood. Meals containing goat erythrocytes facilitated infection in G.m.morsitans, whereas meals containing goat plasma facilitated infection in G.m.centralis. Goat blood effects were not observed in the presence of complementary rabbit blood components. N-acetyl-glucosamine (a midgut-lectin inhibitor) increased infection rates in some, but not all, blood manipulations. Cholesterol increased infection rates in G.m.centralis only. Both compounds together added to cow blood produced superinfection in G.m.centralis, but not in G.m.morsitans. Midgut protease levels did not differ 6 days post-infection in flies maintaining infections versus flies clearing infections. Protease levels were weakly correlated with patterns of infection, but only in G.m.morsitans. These results suggest that physiological mechanisms responsible for variation in infection rates are only superficially similar in these closely-related tsetse.

Effects of Trypanosoma congolense on pituitary and adrenocortical function in sheep: changes in the adrenal gland and cortisol secretion

The effect of trypanosomiasis on adrenal function was studied in 10 pubertal Scottish blackface rams infected with Trypanosoma congolense and nine uninfected controls. Plasma cortisol concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay in samples obtained twice a week for three weeks before infection and three times a week for 79 days after infection. There was a significant (P < 0.001) increase in cortisol concentration in all the infected rams after the onset of parasitaemia nine to 16 days after infection. This was followed by a transient non-significant decrease in cortisol levels between 19 and 41 days and a variable and parasitaemia-dependent increase in cortisol levels between 44 and 79 days after infection. Marked hypertrophy of the zona fasciculata-reticularis, infiltration of mononuclear cells into the cortical and medullary zones, hyperaemia and focal coagulative necrosis were evident in the adrenal glands of infected rams killed at the end of the study. Trypanosome infection induced a low grade persistent pyrexia, marked anaemia, reduced growth rates and general loss of body condition. These results demonstrate that T congolense infection in sheep causes marked pathological changes in the adrenal cortex and changes in the secretion of cortisol.

Effects of Trypanosoma congolense on pituitary and adrenocortical function in sheep: responses to exogenous corticotrophin-releasing hormone

To investigate whether the aberrations in adrenocortical and gonadal activity observed in trypanosomiasis may be induced by the refractoriness of the pituitary to hypothalamic liberins, the responses of the pituitary and adrenal glands and the testes to stimulation with ovine corticotrophin-releasing hormone (oCRH) were studied in rams 23 days (acute phase) and 65 days (chronic phase) after they were infected with Trypanosoma congolense. On both occasions a peak of plasma ACTH was observed within 20 minutes of the injection of CRH but the rate of increase in ACTH and the mean peak values in the infected rams were significantly lower (P < 0.001) on day 23 but higher (P < 0.05) on day 65 than in the uninfected control rams. Plasma cortisol concentration increased in all the rams after the injection of CRH. The rate of increase in plasma cortisol and the mean peak values were not significantly different between the control and infected rams on day 23 but were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in the infected rams on day 65. However, the post peak concentrations of ACTH declined more rapidly in the infected rams than in the controls on both days 23 and 65. The plasma concentration of luteinising hormone (LH) did not change after the injection of CRH, whereas the testosterone levels showed a delayed response and its concentration increased when plasma ACTH and cortisol concentrations declined in both groups. On day 23, there was a greater increase in testosterone in the infected than in the control rams.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection on naturally occurring ticks in N'dama and Gobra zebu cattle

The effects of experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection in Gambian N'dama and Gobra zebu cattle on number of naturally-occurring adult ticks attaching were studied. An indirect fluorescent antibody test was performed to detect serological prevalence of Cowdria ruminantium antibody. The intravenously imposed trypanosome infection did not result in significant (P > 0.05) differences in Amblyomma variegatum and Hyalomma spp. infestations between control and infected N'dama cattle. Control N'damas carried significantly (P < 0.001) lower numbers of A. variegatum and Hyalomma spp. than the control zebus. Serological frequency of C. ruminantium antibody was similar in both control or infected N'dama and in control or infected zebu cattle. No deaths occurred among N'dama cattle, while all six trypanosome infected zebus progressively died within nine weeks post-infection but trypanosomosis was excluded as the primary cause of death. Examined Giemsa-stained blood smears were negative for the presence of tick-borne micro-organisms. Four positive cases of cowdriosis were identified during post-mortem examination. It was concluded that N'damas, even when submitted to trypanosome infection, react consistently better than Gobra zebus to tick attachment. These results emphasize the benefits of rearing disease resistant cattle breeds, such as N'dama, in areas where risks of trypanosomosis and cowdriosis coexist.

Developmental regulation of RNA editing and polyadenylation in four life cycle stages of Trypanosoma congolense

The accumulation of many edited mRNAs is developmentally regulated in a transcript-specific fashion in Trypanosoma brucei. In addition, these transcripts are frequently present in two size classes which differ substantially in the lengths of their poly(A) tails, and poly(A) tail length is also developmentally regulated. Previously, these phenomena have only been studied in the mammalian bloodstream and insect procyclic forms (BF and PF, respectively) of T. brucei. In this paper, we examine developmental regulation of edited RNA abundance and poly(A) tail length of 3 mitochondrially encoded RNAs in mammalian BF and 3 insect stages (PF, epimastigotes, and metacyclics) of T. congolense. T. congolense BF and PF are similar, but not identical, to these stages of T. brucei with regard to edited RNA accumulation and poly(A) tail length. At the level of edited RNA, both epimastigotes and metacyclic stage parasites appear to be pre-adapted for the respiratory mechanisms of BF but not yet down-regulated from the cytochrome-based respiration of PF since edited RNAs encoding NADH dehydrogenase components are up-regulated and edited CYb RNA is abundant in these stages. Poly(A) tail lengths of mitochondrial mRNAs appear to be regulated independently of edited RNA abundance. These results indicate that multiple mechanisms for regulation of mitochondrial gene expression are active throughout the trypanosome life cycle.

The interaction of Trypanosoma congolense with endothelial cells

Factors which affect adhesion of cultured Trypanosoma congolense bloodstream forms to mammalian feeder cells have been examined. Using an in vitro binding assay, the initial events following interaction of trypanosomes with bovine aorta endothelial (BAE) cells were monitored by both light- and electron microscopy. Metabolic inhibitors and other biochemicals were incubated with either cells or parasites, to test whether any inhibited the process. Our findings suggest that adhesion of the parasites is an active process requiring metabolic energy from the trypanosomes, but not from endothelial cells. We also provide data suggesting that T. congolense bloodstream forms possess a lectin-like domain, localized at distinct sites on their flagellar surface, which interacts with specific carbohydrate receptors, most likely sialic acid residues, on the endothelial cell plasma membrane. We also suggest that the cytoskeletal protein actin is probably involved in this interaction.

Early stages of infection with Trypanosoma congolense: parasite kinetics and expression of metacyclic variable antigen types

Trypanosoma congolense develops in the skin of sheep at the site of inoculation of metacyclic trypanosomes, forming a chancre containing large numbers of parasites. By cannulating the afferent and efferent lymphatic ducts draining the skin and regional lymph node, the progressive development and migration of trypanosomes from the chancre was monitored and the expression of metacyclic antigen types (M-VATs) was determined. The kinetics of development of parasitosis in the afferent and efferent lymph was similar. Trypanosomes were detected in lymph 5 to 6 days after the inoculation of cultured metacyclic trypanosomes, at the same time as the chancre first appeared in the skin. The numbers of trypanosomes in the lymph reached their peak levels 8 to 10 days post infection and thereafter numbers fell, although there were still parasites in the lymph after the chancre had regressed. Trypanosomes in the afferent lymph expressed mainly M-VATs and the absolute numbers of four M-VATs which were monitored increased up to 9 days post infection. There was a fall in numbers by day 10, but 92% of the trypanosomes in the afferent lymph continued to express M-VATs. In contrast, trypanosomes from the efferent lymph were found not to express M-VATs suggesting that a major switch in VAT expression occurs in the lymph node. Specific antibody responses, measured by neutralization tests, were evident 16 to 20 days after infection in afferent lymph but only low levels of antibodies were found in efferent lymph.

Immunoelectron microscopic studies on the specific adhesion of Trypanosoma congolense to cultured vascular endothelial cells

Bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma congolense were cocultivated in vitro with vascular endothelial cells. The trypanosomes adhere specifically to the endothelial surfaces of the anterior part of their flagella, as shown by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The interaction between parasite and host cell is very tight, and frequently the accumulation of endocytotic vesicles near the contact site is observed. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed a compound distributed over the total surface of the trypanosomes and reacting with antibodies against the beta 1 integrin chain, but no reaction was found with anti-alpha 1 or anti-alpha 2 antibodies. Integrins are typical adhesion molecules and are now shown to be present at the surface of T. congolense by electron microscopy and by immunofluorescence. A direct participation of this substance in the specific adhesion to endothelium, however, could not be proven.

Dynamics of host blood effects in Glossina morsitans sspp. infected with Trypanosoma congolense and T. brucei

The pattern of infection in Glossina morsitans morsitans and G. m. centralis membrane-fed on eland, buffalo or goat blood mixed with Trypanosoma congolense or T. brucei was studied from day 1 to day 10. Tsetse were initially permissive vectors, with most flies harbouring infections of 10(4)-10(5) parasites on day 3. However, after a second blood meal on day 3, flies cleared many infections, with G. m. morsitans clearing more infections than G.m. centralis. Infective feeds of goat blood consistently increased final infection rates by limiting the number of infections lost between days 3 and 6. In further experiments with G. m. morsitans only, this effect was replicated by feeding flies on erythrocytes but not on serum. These results suggest that compounds from some mammalian erythrocytes match the target specificity of G. m. morsitans midgut lectins and, hence, have a protective effect on trypanosome establishment in the fly.

Identification and characterization of an acidic major surface glycoprotein from procyclic stage Trypanosoma congolense

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were derived against the procyclic culture form of Trypanosoma congolense and 14 were selected which bound to the surface of living procyclics in immunofluorescence assays. These antibodies bound to procyclics and epimastigotes of T. congolense (both savannah-type and Kilifi-type) and procyclics of Trypanosoma simiae, but not to procyclics of other species of trypanosomes, to bloodstream forms of several species of trypanosomes or to Leishmania, and were thus life cycle stage- and subgenus-specific. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis with these antibodies showed that the kinetics of expression of the surface antigen during transformation from bloodstream to procyclic forms was similar to that of procyclin or procyclic acidic repetitive protein (PARP) of T. brucei spp. appearing at the cell surface as early as 8 h after initiating transformation. All fourteen antibodies detected broad bands of 40-44 and 28-32 kDa in immunoblot analysis of whole procyclic lysates and were specific for carbohydrate epitopes. The antigen was purified by cation-exchange chromatography and gel electrophoresis, and was shown to be an acidic glycoprotein. Amino acid microanalysis of the purified antigen showed an abundance of glutamic acid/glutamine and alanine. Sequences of peptides produced by cyanogen bromide cleavage matched amino acid sequences predicted by the nucleotide sequence of a gene described in the accompanying paper by Bayne et al. [26]. No sequence similarity to T. brucei procyclin/PARP or to any other protein was found. However, its stage and subgenus specificity, surface disposition, immunodominance, acidity and kinetics of expression during transformation from bloodstream to procyclic forms indicate that the molecule is an analog of procyclin/PARP described in T. brucei spp.

A major surface antigen of procyclic stage Trypanosoma congolense

Five monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were raised that bound to the surface of procyclic stage Trypanosoma congolense with high intensity in immunofluorescence. Immunoblot analysis of trypanosome lysates using 3 of these mAb revealed a diffuse SDS-PAGE band of 36-40 kDa. The purified antigen did not react with Coomassie Blue or silver stains, but did stain blue with Stains-all, indicating acidity. For the one mAb tested, the epitope was periodate-sensitive and therefore probably glycan. Although this antigen shares properties with procyclin/PARP, which forms a surface coat on procyclic Trypanosoma brucei, a search in T. congolense for homologues of a procyclin/PARP gene revealed only non-coding sequence of partial similarity. Using a differential screen, a procyclic stage T. congolense cDNA clone was isolated that encoded a putative 256-amino acid protein containing 2 peptides chemically sequenced independently by Beecroft et al. [36]. The protein, termed glutamate and alanine-rich protein (GARP), has potential hydrophobic leader and tail sequences (the latter with potential for replacement by a glycosyl phosphoinositol anchor) and no potential N-linked glycosylation sites. It has no significant sequence homology with known proteins. Antibodies against a translational fusion of GARP bound specifically in Western blots to a band very similar to that detected by the mAb and also to the purified antigen. Immunogold electron microscopy revealed a dense packing of the antigen on the cell surface. It appears that procyclic T. brucei and T. congolense have major surface proteins with structural analogy, but with no sequence homology.

A comparison of susceptibility of two allopatric populations of Glossina pallidipes for stocks of Trypanosoma congolense

A colony of Glossina pallidipes Austen which originated from Nguruman, Rift Valley Province, Kenya, was significantly more susceptible to infection (19.3%) with a stock of Trypanosoma congolense Broden isolated from G. pallidipes in Nguruman than a colony of the same species which originated from Shimba Hills, Coast Province, Kenya (5.6%). Male G.pallidipes from Nguruman were significantly more susceptible than females to this T.congolense stock whilst the susceptibility of both sexes of G.pallidipes from Shimba Hills did not differ significantly. All six goats on which six infected G.pallidipes fed singly (three tsetse per colony) became infected. Similarly, the G.pallidipes colony of Nguruman origin was significantly more susceptible to infection (16.4%) with a stock of T.congolense isolated from G.pallidipes in Shimba Hills than the colony of Shimba Hills origin (4.9%). The susceptibility of the sexes of G.pallidipes from both the colonies to this stock of T.congolense did not differ significantly. Again, all six goats on which six infected G.pallidipes fed singly (three tsetse per colony) became infected. If the observed differences in susceptibility of the two G.pallidipes colonies reflect transmission of trypanosomes by the two allopatric populations of tsetse in the field, then the epidemiology of congolense-trypanosomiasis in livestock must differ between these two areas of Kenya endemic for trypanosomiasis.

Rickettsia-like organisms and chitinase production in relation to transmission of trypanosomes by tsetse flies

Rickettsia-like organisms (RLO) from testse midguts and mosquito cell cultures showed high levels of endochitinase activity. A line of Glossina morsitans morsitans highly susceptible to midgut trypanosome infection and with high incidence of RLO infection showed significantly greater chitinolytic activity than G. austeni which had low RLO incidence and were correspondingly refractory to midgut infection. Midgut infection rates of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense in G. m. morsitans showed a dose-related increase when flies were fed N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) in the infective meal and for 4 subsequent days. A model is proposed for susceptibility to trypanosome infection based on the generation of GlcNAc by RLO endochitinase activity in tsetse pupae inhibiting midgut lectin in teneral flies.

Epidemiology of trypanosome infections of the tsetse fly Glossina pallidipes in the Zambezi Valley

The epidemiology of trypanosome infections of Glossina pallidipes was studied at a riverine site in the Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe for a period of 13 months. Over 9000 flies were captured using a single trap. These flies were dissected, screened for trypanosome infection, sexed, and aged using both wing fray and (for females) ovarian category indices. Midgut infections were identified to species using recently developed DNA probes. The overall prevalence of mature infections was 5.5%, comprising 3.1% Trypanosoma vivax-type and 2.4% T. congolense-type (which included very low prevalences of T. brucei, T. simiae and another Nannomonas species). The prevalence of infection increased with age. For T. vivax-type infections in flies aged by ovarian category this relationship could be described by a simple 'catalytic' model assuming a constant per capita rate of infection. For T. congolense-type infections this model tended to over-estimate prevalence in older age classes, implying that the rate of infection decreases with age, and/or that infected flies have higher mortality rates, and/or that a significant fraction of the population is resistant to infection. Prevalences of infection also varied between months. This variation was more marked for T. vivax-type infections and was negatively correlated with both temperature and rainfall. The shape of the age-prevalence relationship, however, did not vary significantly between months. These observations are not fully explained by variation in the age-structure of the tsetse population and are consistent with temporal variation in the rate of infection (rather than in the trypanosome developmental period or in effects of infection on fly mortality). Possible causes of this variation are discussed.

Endocytosed transferrin in African trypanosomes is delivered to lysosomes and may not be recycled

It has been shown in mammalian systems that the passage of transferrin-colloidal gold (Tf-Au) through the endocytic system is influenced by the size of the gold colloid (Neutra, M. R. et al., J. Histochem. Cytochem. 33, 1134-1144 (1985); Woods, J. W. et al., Eur. J. Cell Biol. 50, 132-143 (1989)). However, in both Trypanosoma brucei brucei and Trypanosoma congolense, widely varying sizes of Tf-Au (Tf-Au5 and Tf-Au15) have been shown to proceed to lysosomes (Webster, P., Eur. J. Cell Biol. 49, 295-302 (1989); Webster, P., D. Grab, J. Cell Biol. 106, 279-288 (1988)). Using an affinity-purified anti-bovine transferrin IgG we have demonstrated that, in both T. brucei and T. congolense, native transferrin, like Tf-Au, is found in the flagellar pocket, coated vesicles, tubular structures, and lysosome-like organelles where it appears to be concentrated. The presence of Tf in the lysosomes was confirmed in colocalization experiments using T. congolense, where native bovine transferrin colocalized with a trypanosome lysosomal marker, a cysteine protease. The data suggest that, unlike the situation in mammalian cells where most transferrin is recycled to the cell surface, in African trypanosomes transferrin is routed into lysosomes and may not, therefore, be recycled.

Cell surface interactions between Trypanosoma congolense and macrophages during phagocytosis in vitro

Trypanosoma congolense bloodstream forms preincubated with a high titer of anti-variant surface antigen (VSG)-specific antibody, a low amount of anti-VSG plus complement-active mouse serum (MS), MS alone, and trypsin were cocultivated with mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro. Immunofluorescence as well as transmission and scanning electron microscopy revealed that upon attachment to the macrophages' surface, trypanosomes opsonized with anti-VSG/MS formed opsonized filopodia, which were rapidly internalized by the phagocytes. Although these cells attached as frequently as anti-VSG or trypsin-pretreated parasites, the rate of phagocytosis of anti-VSG/MS pretreated trypanosomes was reduced significantly. Trypanosomes pretreated with high antibody titers alone were lysed on the surface of the macrophages before phagocytosis was completed. Parasites opsonized with complement alone adhered only occasionally and were rarely phagocytosed. Trypsin-treated trypanosomes, which served as positive control cells, rapidly attached and remained intact until ingulfment by the macrophages was completed. Untreated control parasites did not attach to the macrophages and were not phagocytosed. Cocultivation of macrophages with anti-VSG/MS-opsonized trypanosomes caused internalization of the flagellum by membrane fusion. Filopodia formation by T. congolense is thus correlated with a marked reduction in phagocytosis even in the presence of only a sublytic antibody titer.

Comparison of the susceptibility to deltamethrin of female Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood, 1850 (Diptera: Glossinidae) uninfected and infected with Trypanosoma (Nannomonas) congolense Broden, 1904 (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae)

The susceptibility of pregnant female Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood, 1850 infected with Trypanosoma (Nannomonas) congolense Broden, 1904 to deltamethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, was compared to that of pregnant uninfected females. The results showed that infected flies have a significantly higher mortality rate than uninfected ones, and have a reduced longevity compared with uninfected control flies. These experiments suggest that the effects of trypanosome infection on Glossina should be further evaluated.

Parasite kinetics and cellular responses in goats infected and superinfected with Trypanosoma congolense transmitted by Glossina morsitans centralis

Trypanosoma congolense infected tsetse were fed on the flanks of goats at sites drained by the prefemoral lymph node. The efferent lymphatic of this lymph node was surgically cannulated and the lymph was collected daily and examined for appearance of parasites, lymph flow and cells. Trypanosomes were detected in the lymph 4 days after infection, which was 2 days prior to the appearance of the local skin reaction or the presence of parasites in the blood. Once the animal became parasitaemic, trypanosomes were found to recirculate in the lymphatic system, appearing in the lymph of the contralateral lymph node 11 days after infection. In goats infected with T. congolense and superinfected 12 or 13 days later with a different tsetse-transmitted T. congolense serodeme, parasites belonging to the second serodeme were apparently delayed in their development in the skin and appeared up to 7 days later in the efferent lymph when compared to control animals. This delay in development might have implications for field situations where superinfections frequently occur; it might result in limiting the number of serodemes of T. congolense an animal can be infected with at any one time.

The effect of temperature and storage on the infectivity and motility of African animal trypanosomes in the blood of different hosts

Blood from mice, rats, goats or cattle infected with Trypanosoma congolense, T. vivax or T. brucei was stored at 0-4 degrees C, 20-25 degrees C, 30-35 degrees C or 36-40 degrees C. Each sample was examined after set intervals to determine the maximum period the trypanosomes could remain motile and infective. T. brucei in blood remained motile for 96 h at 0-4 degrees C, being the longest period that was observed, but remained infective for only 8 h. T. vivax survived poorly in rodent blood, but did well in ruminant blood, especially at 20-25 degrees C, whereas T. congolense and T. brucei survived well in rodent blood. The infectivity and motility of the three species of trypanosomes were adversely reduced at temperatures above 36 degrees C.