Veterinary Archives, Vol. 88 No. 2, 2018.
Review article
https://doi.org/10.24099/vet.arhiv.161115a
Chemotherapeutic control of trypanosomosis - a review of past measures, current status and future trends
Kingsley I. Eghianruwa
orcid.org/0000-0002-5440-0486
; Department of Veterinary Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Olayinka A. Oridupa
; Department of Veterinary Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Abstract
African trypanosomosis is a major parasitic disease which affects both humans and animals in the Africa continent, south of the Sahara desert. It is caused by infection with various species of trypanosome that are transmitted to the host through the bite of an infected vector, the tsetse fly. Efforts to control the disease have involved attempts to reduce the vector population by use of traps, insecticide application, the sterile male technique as well as treatment and prophylaxis of overt cases with chemotherapeutic drugs, consisting mainly of isometamidium, homidium, quinapyramine and diminazene. These drugs have been in use for over 50 years and are associated with severe toxicity and parasite resistance. Over the years, efforts in several laboratories to formulate new treatment profiles through pharmacokinetic studies of the trypanocides, combination therapy, use of medicinal plants and application of antioxidants, have not succeeded in eradicating the threat of the disease. The development of an effective vaccine has also not been successful due to the antigenic variation of the trypanosome surface coat, a condition that has stifled progress, if not totally halted vaccine development. However, more recent studies suggest the trypanosomal microtubulin could be a viable antigen for vaccine development. This review focuses on measures that have been undertaken to control Animal African Trypanosomosis by chemotherapy, and discusses future measures and prospects since the measures adopted so far have not successfully controlled the disease.
Keywords
chemotherapy; trypanosomosis; control measures; sanative pair; combination therapy; medicinal plants; antigenic variation; tubulin antigen
Hrčak ID:
197976
URI
Publication date:
2.4.2018.
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