Differences in sensitivity of KenyanTrypanosoma vivax populations to the prophylactic and therapeutic actions of isometamidium chloride in Boran cattle

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Abstract
Summary Isometamidium chloride was administered as a single prophylactic dose of 0·5 mg kg−1 body weight to each of 10 Boran (Bos indicus) steers. At monthly intervals following drug administration, groups of five cattle each were challenged with one of two differentTrypanosoma vivax populations transmitted by infectedGlossina morsitans centralis; one with a stock (IL 2982) from Galana, Kenya and the other with a stock (IL 2986) from Likoni, Kenya. Prophylaxis was afforded for less than one month against the GalanaT. vivax and for one month against the LikoniT. vivax. In a therapeutic study a further 10 Boran steers were similarly infected with either of theT. vivax populations; five steers per population. Eleven days after infection all animals were treated with 0·5 mg kg−1 isometamidium chloride and all were cured. These findings demonstrate that, as defined in the field, the two KenyanT. vivax populations express a high level of resistance to the prophylactic action of isometamidium yet a low level of resistance to the therapeutic action of the drug. The results also indicate that differences in drug resistance between different isolates play a major role in determining the apparent period of prophylaxis afforded by isometamidium chloride.