Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of mixed trypanosome infection and blood meal origin in field-captured tsetse flies from Zambia

The prevalence of animal African trypanosomes and source of blood meal in wild field captured tsetse fly was assessed by single polymerase chain reaction using paraflagellar rod protein A (PFRA), protein kinase (KIN) and serum resistance- associated (SRA) primers, respectively for Trypanozoon group species, universal trypanosome species and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. DNA samples (250) were extracted from tsetse fly collected in South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. Nine host species namely, African buffalo, hippopotamus, giraffe, lion, warthog, African elephant, greater kudu, human and bush pig were revealed in 54% (135) of the samples through amplification and sequencing of cytochrome-b gene. Mixed and individual infection rates in tsetse were successfully determined using a single PCR with KIN primers. Infection rates were highest for Trypanosoma vivax 38 (15.2%) followed by T. brucei 18 (7.2%), Trypanosoma congolense Kenya 16 (6.4%), T. congolense savannah 8 (3.2%), and lastly T. theileri and T. congolense forest, each found in 4 (1.6%) of all tsetse fly. T. vivax occurred more frequently in concomitant infections, implying a higher tendency of co-existence. KIN primers were able to amplify multiple trypanosomes DNA from field captured tsetse fly through a single PCR, which makes it a more efficient and cost effective diagnostic method applicable in field situations.Key words: Tsetse fly, host blood meal, cytochrome-b gene, African animal trypanosomes, nagana, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology

Glycemic control and cardiometabolic risk in black Zimbabweans with Type 2 diabetes mellitus

PURPOSE : Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) frequently presents with modified cardiometabolic risk profiles, indicative of an elevated susceptibility to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Cardiometabolic risk factors such as obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertension, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia are known contributors to increased CVD hazard in individuals with T2DM. This study evaluated the glycemic control-based cardiometabolic risk profiles of black Zimbabweans with T2DM. PATIENTS AND METHODS : A cross-sectional study of 116 T2DM patients recruited from diabetic clinics at Parirenyatwa and Sally Mugabe Hospitals, Harare, Zimbabwe, was conducted. Blood samples were collected for glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and lipid profile assessment. The Framingham risk scores (FRS) based on body mass index (BMI) and lipid profile were used to determine CVD risk. Parametric variables were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc Bonferroni correction, while non-parametric variables were compared using the Kruskal–Wallis test with post hoc Dunn test for multiple comparisons. RESULTS : The overall frequency of dyslipidemia was 83.6% (n=97) and hypoalphalipoproteinemia was the most prevalent dyslipidemia (79.3%). Median HDLC levels were significantly lower in participants with poor glycemic control (1.12 mmol/L) compared to those with good glycemic control group (1.37 mmol/L) (p=0.011). Despite lack of significant variations in Framingham Risk Scores, there was a trend towards lower FRS-BMI in the good control group (29.8%) compared to the inadequate control (35.4%) and poor control (32.7%) groups (p=0.078). CONCLUSION : Duration since DM diagnosis was observed to be an important risk factor for poor glycemic control being significantly shorter in those with good glycemic control compared to those with inadequate and poor control. Overall, there was no significant difference in HbA1c status by age but individuals with poor glycemic control were significantly older than those with good control. The most prevalent dyslipidemia among the study participants was hypoalphalipoproteinemia which is reportedly associated with genetic predisposition, warranting further investigations.https://www.dovepress.com/diabetes-metabolic-syndrome-and-obesity-targets-and-therapy-journalhj2024ImmunologySDG-03:Good heatlh and well-bein