Cibarial infections of Trypanosoma vivax and T. congolense in Glossina

Abstract

In a percentage of laboratory bred Glossina infected with Trypanosoma congolense or T. vivax, trypanosomes colonized the cibarium as well as the midgut and/or the proboscis. Field-caught tsetse flies also had T. congolense and T. vivax cibarial infections. T. congolense cibarial infections occurred in all species of Glossina examined: G. tachinoides, G. palpalis palpalis, G. morsitans morsitans and G. m. submorsitans. T. vivax was only found in the cibarium of G. tachinoides. Trypanosomes were firmly attached in the cibarium, as shown by scanning electron microscopy. Two field-caught G. tachinoides were also discovered to have only cibarial infections, presumably of T. vivax. More information is required on the occurrence of cibarial infections in Glossina, especially in the field. It is suggested that examination of the cibarium should be carried out as part of the routine dissection of tsetse flies in the field.