On the possibility of bovine Onchocerca species infecting Simulium damnosum s.l. in the forest zone of Sierra Leone I. Parasitological aspects

As part of a study to assess to what extent Onchocera-like infections in S. damnosum s.l. in the forest zone of Sierra Leone were likely to be of bovine origin, Onchocerca infections were studied by post mortem examination of cattle killed at Bo abattoir and by examination of skin biopsies from cattle born and reared at Njala, in the forest zone, and Musaia, in the savanna zone. Post mortem studies of 45 cattle which had originated from northern Sierra Leone and Guinea revealed a prevalence of infection with microfilariae (mff) of O. gutturosa of 87%, O. ochengi 18% and O. armillata 7%. Examination of indigenous cattle revealed transmission of O. gutturosa in both forest (Njala) and savanna (Musaia) areas, and age prevalence analysis at Njala indicated a high intensity of transmission. Autochthonous transmission of O. armillata occurred at Njala at low intensity. Onchocerca gutturosa from Sierra Leone resembled U.K. isolates of O. gutturosa in terms of glucose phosphate isomerase electrophoretic mobility and acid phosphatase activity of in situ-stained mff. Hide mapping of O. gutturosa revealed skin concentrations of mff dorsally at the withers area and also ventrally at the dewlap, brisket and upper forelegs. It was concluded that only O. gutturosa was transmitted at high intensity to cattle in the forest zone of Sierra Leone. Hence, subsequent studies were directed towards determining the vector of O. gutturosa.