Improved PCR-RFLP for the detection of diminazene resistance in Trypanosoma congolense under field conditions using filter papers for sample storage

Animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) is caused by different species of the pro- tozoan parasite Trypanosoma and affects a wide range of domestic animals. Trypano- soma congolense is widespread in the whole of sub-Saharan Africa and is the species causing considerable losses in livestock pro- duction, often affecting the health status of humans through endangering the food supply of rural communities. It is estimated that 50 million cattle are at risk of the disease and that the direct and indirect annual losses related to AAT reach US$4.5 billion [1].