Early detection of Trypanosoma evansi infection and monitoring of antibody levels by ELISA following treatment.

In present communication, we report an outbreak of Trypanosoma evansi in equine herd n = 30 (horse and mules) which, were reared in fly proof stables as well as in open paddock maintained under semi-intensive system of management, and its effective control using trypanocidal drug. The infection was monitored by antibody ELISA up to 180 days post-treatment (PT). A total of 8 out of 14 equines (57.14 %) which were maintained only in open paddocks were found positive with T. evansi infection parasitologically. The infected animals were treated with quinapyramine methyl sulphate and chloride combination administered at the prescribed dose rate on 3rd day of screening. The parasite could not be detected from any treated animals from day-3 PT up to 6 month. Further, we also could not observe relapse of infection, neither in treated group nor in equine herd maintained at the farm. Sero-conversion was observed in all eight animals by 10th day of screening, indicating that immune response was due to recent infection as the animals became chronologically positive. The antibody titre reached at the peak by 10-14th day in all infected animals, and started declining by 17th day of screening, further reached to near cut off level by 180 days. Since, antibodies persisted up to 6 month PT and antibody detection assays are not able to differentiate between current and past infections in treated cases. The detection of circulating antigen assay and parasitological techniques in combination may be performed for effective diagnosis and management of T. evansi infection.