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Characterization of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense stocks isolated from humans by RAPD fingerprinting in Côte d'Ivoire: another evidence for multiple infections


Bruno Oury
Vincent Jamonneau
Michel Tibayrenc
Philippe Truc

Abstract

Trypanosoma brucei gambiense was isolated twice from each of 23 patients in Côte d'Ivoire. Genetic characterization using RAPD (Random Primed Amplified Polymorphic DNA) showed additional variability within a given isoenzyme profile (zymodeme), confirming that this fingerprinting method has a higher discriminative power (faster molecular clock) than isoenzymes. RAPD confirmed also the evidence of multiple infections by different genotypes in the same patient despite a low genetic variability among Trypanosoma brucei gambiense stocks. The involvement of this phenomenon in treatment failure is discussed.


Key Words: Human African Trypanosomiasis, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, RAPD, multiple infections.


African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.3(1) 2004: 94-98

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eISSN: 1684-5315