Tsetse blood-meal sources, endosymbionts and trypanosome-associations in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, a wildlife-human-livestock interface

The flies were identified as Glossina pallidipes, with 1136 individuals collected, and Glossina swynnertoni, with 31 individuals collected. The flies were analyzed for trypanosome DNA, and 28 (2.4%) were positive by PCR for trypanosome DNA, with most being of the Trypanosoma vivax species. Blood-meal analysis was conducted using high-resolution melting analysis of vertebrate cytochrome c oxidase 1 and cytochrome b gene products. The results showed that humans were the most common vertebrate host, accounting for 37% of the blood-meals, followed by hippopotamus (29.1%), African buffalo (26.3%), elephant (3.39%), and giraffe (0.84%). The flies that were positive for trypanosome DNA had fed on hippopotamus and buffalo. The presence of the endosymbiont Sodalis glossinidius was associated with trypanosome presence in wild tsetse flies. The study found that the endosymbiont Sodalis glossinidius was present in 93% of the flies, and its presence was correlated with trypanosome DNA in 27% of the flies. The study suggests that the endosymbiont Sodalis glossinidius may play a role in the transmission of trypanosomes in tsetse flies. The study highlights the importance of understanding the interaction between tsetse flies, their endosymbionts, and vertebrate blood-meal hosts in the transmission of African trypanosomiasis. The findings of the study provide new insights into the ecology of tsetse flies and their role in the transmission of trypanosomes in wildlife-human-livestock interfaces. The study's results have implications for the control and management of African trypanosomiasis. The identification of tsetse fly blood-meal host sources in specific regions can help to elucidate wildlife species that are potentially involved in AT transmission and provide a basis for research towards improving vector-control strategies. The study's findings also suggest that the endosymbiont Sodalis glossinidius may be a potential target for the development of new control measures for African trypanosomiasis. The study's results provide a foundation for further research into the role of Sodalis glossinidius in the transmission of trypanosomes in tsetse flies. The study's methodology involved the collection of tsetse flies from the Maasai Mara National Reserve, followed by analysis of the flies for trypanosome DNA and blood-meal analysis using high-resolution melting analysis of vertebrate cytochrome c oxidase 1 and cytochrome b gene products. The study's results provide new insights into the ecology of tsetse flies and their role in the transmission of trypanosomes in wildlife-human-livestock interfaces. The study's findings have implications for the control and management of African trypanosomiasis, and the study's results provide a foundation for further research into the role of Sodalis glossinidius in the transmission of trypanosomes in tsetse flies.