African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 5 (10), pp. 951-955, 16 May 2006   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2006 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

Characterization of quinapyramine (Trypacide®) drug-resistant Trypansoma evansi

Intisar E. El Rayah¹* and Khitma H. El Malik²

Trypanosomosis Unit, Tropical Medicine Research Institute (TMRI), P.O.BOX 1304, Khartoum 11111, Sudan.

²Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Khartoum, P.O Box 32, Khartoum North, Sudan.

*Corresponding authors E-mail: intisar62@yahoo.com, trypanosome@sudanmail.net.sd, Tel: 249-9-12234657, Fax: 249-1-83-781845.

Accepted 30 March, 2006

Abstract

Molecular karyotyping by pulsed field gel electrophoresis was used to characterize Trypanosoma evansi isolates. Ten T. evansi isolates from camels were collected in Eastern and Western Sudan. Isolates from Eastern Sudan which were kept under continuous prophylactic treatment with quinapyramine (Trypacide®), were found to bear a single pattern and belonged to one karyotype group. From Western Sudan where trypanosomosis management was done by individual treatment of proven parasitaemic cases, isolates with diverse karyotype patterns were obtained. This study concluded that the occurrence of karyotype homogeneity amongst T. evansi isolates from field situations where anti-trypanosomal compounds have been used may infer the existence of drug-resistance.

Key words: Trypanosoma evansi, drug resistance, Trypacide®, karyotyping, Sudan.