Chemoresistance of trypanosoma vivax (kinetoplastida: trypanosomatidae) in the sudanese zone of Côte d’Ivoire

African Animal Trypanosomoses constitute a major obstacle to the livestock development in sub-Saharan Africa. In response, trypanocides treatments are regularly administered to livestock. However, the uncontrolled and abusive use of these products has led to the emergence and expansion of trypanosome chemoresistance. The present study carried out in the departments of Korhogo and Ferkessédougou, in the Sudanese zone of Côte d'Ivoire, aims to assess the susceptibility of Trypanosoma vivax to diminazene aceturate and isometamidium chloride, the most commonly used molecules. Four stabilates were made from cattle fromlocalities of Napié (Sirikoli), Tioro (Nawalakaha), Kategué and Komborodougou and subjected to the in vivo resistance test on goats. With isometamidium, the experimental goats examined showed cases of post-treatment relapse. However, diminazene aceturate caused post-treatment relapses in some cases in experimental goats when used as a second line treatment against Trypanosoma vivax strains that have relapsed from isometamidium chloride. This result suggests that: (i) some of the Trypanosoma vivax strains tested developed resistance to isometamidium chloride; (ii) those found to be resistant to isometamidium seem to have also developed chemoresistance to diminazene aceturate. Whatever the situation, the present study conducted in Côte d'Ivoire highlighted additional cases of post-treatment failures using diminazene aceturate and isometamidium chloride against Trypanosoma vivax in West Africa.