The daily activity pattern and feeding habits of glossina longipenis cort (diptera; glossinidie) at Galana Ranch; South-Eastern Kenya

Sampling of Glossina lognipennis Corti for 24 hours using baited F-3 traps; mobile and stationary electric screens; stationary ox and ox-fly round showed two main activity peaks at dawn and dusk. The evening peak was more pronounced than the morning one. Very little activity was recorded during the rest of the day. An incompete ring of electric screens arranged round a cattle enclosure showed that G. longipennis is attracted to; and feeds on cattle; especially during peak activity times with a feeeding success of about 7. The number of flies caught on the outside and inside of the elctric screens was significantly different at the 5 level. Analysis of blood meal samples from fed flies indicated a wide diversity of host for G. longipennis with a preference to suids. Over 65 of the total identified blood meal samples were from suids of which 60 alone were from bushpig; while bovines other than buffalo; collected in an area where cattle are kept; provided only 7 of the feeds

Circurating trypanosomal antigen levels in sleeping sickness patients under going treatment at Alupe

Sera from 99 sleeping sickness patients admitted to Alupe Hospital were analyzed for circulating trypanosomal antigens using a sandwich antigen-trapping enzyme immunosorbent assay. Trypanosomal antigens were detected in 83 (84) of the patients. Post-treatment antigen profile in 67 patients showed five distinct patterns: in 48 of the patients antigen levels remained elevated thoughout; in 31 of the patients antigens dropped to the; negative value; and became elevated afterward; in 6.0 of the patients antigen levels were negative initially; but became elevated later; in 7.5 of the patients antigen levels remained below the negative value thoughout. The significance of these observations in the clinical management of sleeping sickness is discussed