Detection of albendazole resistant gastro-intestinal nematodes in village cattle of south-eastern Mali Mungube, E.O.; Rexa, F.; Hinney, B.; Sanogo, Y.; Diall, O.; Randolph, T.; Clausen, P.H. To acquire information on gastro-intestinal nematodes in village cattle and their current control strategy in south-east Mali, repeated faecal samplings and examination for faecal egg counts (FECs) on risk group cattle were conducted between November 2008 and November 2009. A strategic helminth control strategy was tested for its effectiveness in controlling helminths. This was undertaken on risk group cattle that were randomly divided into an albendazole treated and untreated control with the latter getting treated with 10 mg/kg of albendazole sourced from Malian markets at the start and end of rainy season and the former receiving a placebo. A faecal egg reduction test was conducted in November 2009 where all the albendazole treated calves were further split into two groups before one group was treated with 10 mg/kg of albendazole from Mali and the other with albendazole from Germany. The control group still received a placebo. Faecal egg counts were compared at day 0 (treatment day) and day 14 post-treatment. Larval cultures were carried out on faecal samples from the albendazole treated and control groups to determine the helminth ecology. Young animals and zebu cattle were associated with higher faecal egg counts. Although breed and sex were not significantly associated (p>0.05) with FECs, the time when the study was conducted highly (p<0.0001) influenced FECs. The faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) results showed that albendazole from Malian markets had a faecal egg reduction of 55.6% while that from Germany had faecal egg count reduction (FECR) of 79.3%. The low FECRT indicative of gastro-intestinal nematode (GIN) resistance against albendazole warrants further investigation before concluding that such resistance does exist.

Detection of albendazole resistant gastro-intestinal nematodes in village cattle of south-eastern Mali Mungube, E.O.; Rexa, F.; Hinney, B.; Sanogo, Y.; Diall, O.; Randolph, T.; Clausen, P.H. To acquire information on gastro-intestinal nematodes in village cattle and their current control strategy in south-east Mali, repeated faecal samplings and examination for faecal egg counts (FECs) on risk group cattle were conducted between November 2008 and November 2009. A strategic helminth control strategy was tested for its effectiveness in controlling helminths. This was undertaken on risk group cattle that were randomly divided into an albendazole treated and untreated control with the latter getting treated with 10 mg/kg of albendazole sourced from Malian markets at the start and end of rainy season and the former receiving a placebo. A faecal egg reduction test was conducted in November 2009 where all the albendazole treated calves were further split into two groups before one group was treated with 10 mg/kg of albendazole from Mali and the other with albendazole from Germany. The control group still received a placebo. Faecal egg counts were compared at day 0 (treatment day) and day 14 post-treatment. Larval cultures were carried out on faecal samples from the albendazole treated and control groups to determine the helminth ecology. Young animals and zebu cattle were associated with higher faecal egg counts. Although breed and sex were not significantly associated (p>0.05) with FECs, the time when the study was conducted highly (p<0.0001) influenced FECs. The faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) results showed that albendazole from Malian markets had a faecal egg reduction of 55.6% while that from Germany had faecal egg count reduction (FECR) of 79.3%. The low FECRT indicative of gastro-intestinal nematode (GIN) resistance against albendazole warrants further investigation before concluding that such resistance does exist.

Best-bet integrated strategies to contain and/or reverse trypanocidal drug resistance in cattle in identified chemo-resistance hot spots of south-east Mali Mungube, E.O.; Diall, O.; Baumanne, M.P.O.; Hoppenheit, A.; Hinney, B.; Bauer, B.; Sanogo, Y.; Maiga, B.; Zessin, K.H.; Randolph, T.F.; Clausen, P.H. Background African animal trypanosomosis is a major constraint to the rearing of productive livestock in the sub-humid Sudan-Sahel zone of West Africa where cotton is grown. Trypanosomosis is mainly controlled using trypanocidal drugs, but the effective use of drugs is threatened by the development of widespread resistance. This study tested integrated best-bet strategies for containment and/ or reversal of trypanocide resistance in villages in south-east Mali where resistance has been reported. Methods Four sentinel villages each from an intervention area (along the road from Mali to Burkina Faso) and a control area (along the road from Mali to Côte d’Ivoire) were selected for the study. Tsetse control was based on deltamethrin-treated stationary attractive devices and targeted cattle spraying between March 2008 and November 2009. Trypanosome-positive cattle were selectively treated with 3.5 mg/kg diminazene aceturate. Strategic helminth control using 10 mg/kg albendazole was also undertaken. During the intervention, tsetse densities along drainage lines, trypanosome infections and faecal egg counts in risk cattle (3 to 12 months of age) were monitored. Results Catch reductions of 66.5 % in Glossina palpalis gambiensis and 90 % in G. tachinoides were observed in the intervention area. Trypanosome prevalence was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the intervention area (2.3 %; 1.3-3.6 %) compared to the control area (17.3 %; 14.8-20.1 %). Albendazole treatment resulted in a faecal egg count reduction of 55.6 % and reduced trypanosome infection risk (2.9 times lower than in the placebo group) although not significantly (p > 0.05). Further studies are required before confirming the existence of albendazole resistant strongyles in the study area. Conclusion Integration of best-bet strategies in areas of multiple drug-resistance is expected to reduce trypanosome infection risk thus contributing to containment of trypanocidal drug resistance. Integrated best-bet strategies could therefore be considered a viable trypanosomosis control option especially in areas where multiple drug-resistance has been reported.

Best-bet integrated strategies to contain and/or reverse trypanocidal drug resistance in cattle in identified chemo-resistance hot spots of south-east Mali Mungube, E.O.; Diall, O.; Baumanne, M.P.O.; Hoppenheit, A.; Hinney, B.; Bauer, B.; Sanogo, Y.; Maiga, B.; Zessin, K.H.; Randolph, T.F.; Clausen, P.H. Background African animal trypanosomosis is a major constraint to the rearing of productive livestock in the sub-humid Sudan-Sahel zone of West Africa where cotton is grown. Trypanosomosis is mainly controlled using trypanocidal drugs, but the effective use of drugs is threatened by the development of widespread resistance. This study tested integrated best-bet strategies for containment and/ or reversal of trypanocide resistance in villages in south-east Mali where resistance has been reported. Methods Four sentinel villages each from an intervention area (along the road from Mali to Burkina Faso) and a control area (along the road from Mali to Côte d’Ivoire) were selected for the study. Tsetse control was based on deltamethrin-treated stationary attractive devices and targeted cattle spraying between March 2008 and November 2009. Trypanosome-positive cattle were selectively treated with 3.5 mg/kg diminazene aceturate. Strategic helminth control using 10 mg/kg albendazole was also undertaken. During the intervention, tsetse densities along drainage lines, trypanosome infections and faecal egg counts in risk cattle (3 to 12 months of age) were monitored. Results Catch reductions of 66.5 % in Glossina palpalis gambiensis and 90 % in G. tachinoides were observed in the intervention area. Trypanosome prevalence was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the intervention area (2.3 %; 1.3-3.6 %) compared to the control area (17.3 %; 14.8-20.1 %). Albendazole treatment resulted in a faecal egg count reduction of 55.6 % and reduced trypanosome infection risk (2.9 times lower than in the placebo group) although not significantly (p > 0.05). Further studies are required before confirming the existence of albendazole resistant strongyles in the study area. Conclusion Integration of best-bet strategies in areas of multiple drug-resistance is expected to reduce trypanosome infection risk thus contributing to containment of trypanocidal drug resistance. Integrated best-bet strategies could therefore be considered a viable trypanosomosis control option especially in areas where multiple drug-resistance has been reported.

Detection of multiple drug-resistant Trypanosoma congolense populations in village cattle of south-east Mali Mungube, E.O.; Vitouley, H.S.; Cudjoe, E.A.; Diall, O.; Boucoum, Z.; Diarra, B.; Sanogo, Y.; Randolph, T.F.; Bauer, B.; Zessin, K.H.; Clausen, P.H. Background Tsetse fly-transmitted African animal trypanosomosis causes annual losses that run into billions of dollars. The disease is assumed to cause hunger and poverty in most sub-Saharan countries since it represents a serious impediment to sustainable livestock production. Both a cross-sectional and a longitudinal study were carried out from November to December 2007 to evaluate trypanosomosis risk and susceptibility of trypanosomes to trypanocidal drug treatment in village cattle populations in south-east Mali. Methods Eight purposively selected villages participated in the study. In each village, eight traps deployed along drainage lines over 24-hour duration were used to trap tsetse. One hundred systematically selected cattle in the study villages were examined for trypanosomes. All trypanosome-positive cattle were randomly allocated into two treatment groups: a group treated with 0.5 mg/kg bw. isometamidium chloride (ISMM) and a group treated with 3.5 mg/kg bw. diminazene aceturate (DIM). The cattle were monitored for trypanosomes at day 14 and 28 post-treatment. Results Of the 796 cattle examined, 125 (15.7%) were trypanosome-positive. Village trypanosome prvalences ranged between 11% and 19%. There were no significant (p>0.05) differences in the village trypanosome prevalences. Trypanosoma congolense was the dominant trypanosome species accounting for 73% (91/125) of the infections and T. viax the remainder. Twenty (31.7%) of the 63 cattle on 0.5 mg/kg bw. ISMM treatment still had trypanosomes 14 days post-treatment. Of the 43 aparasitaemic cattle monitored to day 28, 25.6% (11) became parasitaemic resulting in a cumulative failure rate of 49.2% (31/63). Trypanosoma congolense accounted for 77.4% (24/31) of failed ISMM treatments. The 62 cattle treated with 3.5 mg/kg bw. DIM resulted in 30.6% (19/62) failed treatments. Although 42.2% (19/45) of T. congolense positive cattle had failed DIM treatment, all T. vivax positive cattle responded positively to DIM treatment. Conclusion Despite the overreliance on trypanocides in the control of trypanosomosis, multiple drug-resistant Trypanosoma congolense populations detected in villages in south-east Mali makes the use of drugs doubtful. Effective alternative methods for trypanosomosis control ought to substitute chemotherapy to ensure sustainable cattle production in these villages. Since there is no single strategy for containing trypanocidal drug resistance, promotion of an integrated approach combining proven trypanosomosis control approaches in high trypanosomosis risk areas is most desirous. The best-bet strategy this study recommended for areas with multiple drug resistance included area-wide community tsetse control, control of co-infections to exploit self-cure against resistant trypanosome populations and the rational use of trypanocidal drugs which should be urgently promoted at all levels as a way of containing or reversing resistance.

Detection of multiple drug-resistant Trypanosoma congolense populations in village cattle of south-east Mali Mungube, E.O.; Vitouley, H.S.; Cudjoe, E.A.; Diall, O.; Boucoum, Z.; Diarra, B.; Sanogo, Y.; Randolph, T.F.; Bauer, B.; Zessin, K.H.; Clausen, P.H. Background Tsetse fly-transmitted African animal trypanosomosis causes annual losses that run into billions of dollars. The disease is assumed to cause hunger and poverty in most sub-Saharan countries since it represents a serious impediment to sustainable livestock production. Both a cross-sectional and a longitudinal study were carried out from November to December 2007 to evaluate trypanosomosis risk and susceptibility of trypanosomes to trypanocidal drug treatment in village cattle populations in south-east Mali. Methods Eight purposively selected villages participated in the study. In each village, eight traps deployed along drainage lines over 24-hour duration were used to trap tsetse. One hundred systematically selected cattle in the study villages were examined for trypanosomes. All trypanosome-positive cattle were randomly allocated into two treatment groups: a group treated with 0.5 mg/kg bw. isometamidium chloride (ISMM) and a group treated with 3.5 mg/kg bw. diminazene aceturate (DIM). The cattle were monitored for trypanosomes at day 14 and 28 post-treatment. Results Of the 796 cattle examined, 125 (15.7%) were trypanosome-positive. Village trypanosome prvalences ranged between 11% and 19%. There were no significant (p>0.05) differences in the village trypanosome prevalences. Trypanosoma congolense was the dominant trypanosome species accounting for 73% (91/125) of the infections and T. viax the remainder. Twenty (31.7%) of the 63 cattle on 0.5 mg/kg bw. ISMM treatment still had trypanosomes 14 days post-treatment. Of the 43 aparasitaemic cattle monitored to day 28, 25.6% (11) became parasitaemic resulting in a cumulative failure rate of 49.2% (31/63). Trypanosoma congolense accounted for 77.4% (24/31) of failed ISMM treatments. The 62 cattle treated with 3.5 mg/kg bw. DIM resulted in 30.6% (19/62) failed treatments. Although 42.2% (19/45) of T. congolense positive cattle had failed DIM treatment, all T. vivax positive cattle responded positively to DIM treatment. Conclusion Despite the overreliance on trypanocides in the control of trypanosomosis, multiple drug-resistant Trypanosoma congolense populations detected in villages in south-east Mali makes the use of drugs doubtful. Effective alternative methods for trypanosomosis control ought to substitute chemotherapy to ensure sustainable cattle production in these villages. Since there is no single strategy for containing trypanocidal drug resistance, promotion of an integrated approach combining proven trypanosomosis control approaches in high trypanosomosis risk areas is most desirous. The best-bet strategy this study recommended for areas with multiple drug resistance included area-wide community tsetse control, control of co-infections to exploit self-cure against resistant trypanosome populations and the rational use of trypanocidal drugs which should be urgently promoted at all levels as a way of containing or reversing resistance.

Improved PCR-RFLP for the detection of diminazene resistance in Trypanosoma congolense under field conditions using filter papers for sample storage Vitouley, H.S.; Mungube, E.O.; Allegye-Cudjoe, E.; Diall, O.; Bocoum, Z.; Diarra, B.; Randolph, T.F.; Bauer, B.; Clausen, P.-H.; Geysen, D.; Sidibe, I.; Bengaly, Z.; Van den Bossche, P.; Delespaux, V.

Improved PCR-RFLP for the detection of diminazene resistance in Trypanosoma congolense under field conditions using filter papers for sample storage Vitouley, H.S.; Mungube, E.O.; Allegye-Cudjoe, E.; Diall, O.; Bocoum, Z.; Diarra, B.; Randolph, T.F.; Bauer, B.; Clausen, P.-H.; Geysen, D.; Sidibe, I.; Bengaly, Z.; Van den Bossche, P.; Delespaux, V.

L’élevage dans la ceinture de tsé-tsé en Afrique de l'Ouest du bétail: résumé ILRI Ce résumé de 3 minutes est un de trois films racontant l'histoire de l'état actuel de la guerre contre la trypanosomose, une maladie des bovins mortelle qui tue des millions d'animaux chaque année à travers de vastes régions de l'Afrique.

L’élevage dans la ceinture de tsé-tsé en Afrique de l'Ouest du bétail: résumé ILRI Ce résumé de 3 minutes est un de trois films racontant l'histoire de l'état actuel de la guerre contre la trypanosomose, une maladie des bovins mortelle qui tue des millions d'animaux chaque année à travers de vastes régions de l'Afrique.

Livestock keeping in the tsetse belt of West Africa ILRI Across Africa the disease trypanosomosis kills millions of livestock annually. Over the last 60 years many strategies have been tried for dealing with the disease, with limited success. The most common method is to use drugs called trypanocides to treat and prevent disease. Now resistance to these drugs is developing, making it increasingly difficult to control trypanosomosis over ever growing areas. Rational Drug Use is a new approach that aims to minimize the emergence and spread of resistance to trypanocides. By promoting good practices tested in human health, it aims to improve treatments and animal health. But with over 50 million doses of trypanocides being given to cattle annually, is this too little, too late? This is one of three films telling the story of the current state of the war against a disease that is so deadly and widespread that farmers call it "the malaria of cattle'.

Livestock keeping in the tsetse belt of West Africa ILRI Across Africa the disease trypanosomosis kills millions of livestock annually. Over the last 60 years many strategies have been tried for dealing with the disease, with limited success. The most common method is to use drugs called trypanocides to treat and prevent disease. Now resistance to these drugs is developing, making it increasingly difficult to control trypanosomosis over ever growing areas. Rational Drug Use is a new approach that aims to minimize the emergence and spread of resistance to trypanocides. By promoting good practices tested in human health, it aims to improve treatments and animal health. But with over 50 million doses of trypanocides being given to cattle annually, is this too little, too late? This is one of three films telling the story of the current state of the war against a disease that is so deadly and widespread that farmers call it "the malaria of cattle'.

La lutte communautaire intégrée de la Trypanosomose chez les bovins ILRI Les éleveurs en Afrique de l'Ouest dépendent largement sur le traitement de leur bétail par des médicaments pour les protéger contre la trypanosomose, mais la résistance contre ces médicaments a émergé dans plusieurs endroits. Ce film décrit de bonnes pratiques pour améliorer l'utilisation de ces médicaments et ainsi ralentir l'émergence de la résistance. Ces pratiques, qui sont fondées sur l'usage rationnel des médicaments, une approche venant de la santé humaine et adaptée aux soins vétérinaires, sont clairement expliquées afin que les paysans et les cadres vétérinaires peuvent traiter ou faire traiter les animaux en toute sécurité. On peut combiner l’usage rationnel des médicaments avec d'autres méthodes qui réduisent le nombre de mouches tsé-tsé afin d’encore ralentir la propagation de la résistance contre les médicaments trypanocides. C'est l'un des trois films racontant l'histoire de l'état actuel de la lutte contre une maladie qui est tellement mortelle et répandue que les éleveurs l'appellent "le paludisme des bovins'.

La lutte communautaire intégrée de la Trypanosomose chez les bovins ILRI Les éleveurs en Afrique de l'Ouest dépendent largement sur le traitement de leur bétail par des médicaments pour les protéger contre la trypanosomose, mais la résistance contre ces médicaments a émergé dans plusieurs endroits. Ce film décrit de bonnes pratiques pour améliorer l'utilisation de ces médicaments et ainsi ralentir l'émergence de la résistance. Ces pratiques, qui sont fondées sur l'usage rationnel des médicaments, une approche venant de la santé humaine et adaptée aux soins vétérinaires, sont clairement expliquées afin que les paysans et les cadres vétérinaires peuvent traiter ou faire traiter les animaux en toute sécurité. On peut combiner l’usage rationnel des médicaments avec d'autres méthodes qui réduisent le nombre de mouches tsé-tsé afin d’encore ralentir la propagation de la résistance contre les médicaments trypanocides. C'est l'un des trois films racontant l'histoire de l'état actuel de la lutte contre une maladie qui est tellement mortelle et répandue que les éleveurs l'appellent "le paludisme des bovins'.

Community-based integrated control of trypanosomosis in cattle ILRI Livestock keepers in West Africa rely largely on treating their cattle with drugs to protect them from trypanosomosis, but resistance to these drugs has emerged in many areas. This film outlines good practices for improving the use of drugs and slowing the emergence of resistance. These practices, which are based on Rational Drug Use, an approach from human health now adapted for animal care, are clearly explained so that veterinary workers and farmers can treat animals safely. Rational Drug Use can be combined with other methods that reduce the numbers of tsetse flies to further slow the spread of resistance to trypanocidal medicines. This is one of three films telling the story of the current state of the war against a disease that is so deadly and widespread that farmers call it "the malaria of cattle'.

Collective livestock research for sustainable disease management in Mali and Burkina Faso Liebenehm, S.; Affognon, H.; Waibel, H. An international multi-disciplinary team of scientists, led by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), tackled the problem of bovine trypanosomosis and the development of drug resistance in West Africa, inter alia, by the promotion of rational drug use (RDU) principles. These principles had been brought to farmers by practical training and by the provision of information leaflets. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of RDU training at smallholder level with respect to advances in farmers' knowledge and farm productivity before research outputs could be scaled up. Therefore, 508 cattle farmers attended a disease-specific knowledge test and provided information about farm production. Results show that farmers who participated in the training are more likely to identify signs and causes of the disease and to correctly administer drugs. Allocating scores to each question in the knowledge tests and scrutinizing the differences between trained and untrained farmers by matching procedures shows that participating farmers reach higher scores in all knowledge categories. Moreover, the acquisition of additional knowledge and the application of improved control strategies significantly increase farm performance. Additionally, an allocative effect was identified since trypanocide expenditures were saved by less expensive inputs.

Réseaux sociaux et échange d'informations vétérinaires: cas de la trypanosomose animale chez les éleveurs de Solenzo dans la province des Banwa, Burkina Faso Dabire, D.; Affognon, H.; Sidibe, I. [IN ENGLISH] In Africa and elsewhere, the role and influence of communication in diffusion of technological innovations, as well as in the success of development projects, are well known and documented. However, most of the studies are carried out in agriculture and human health fields. In animal health, there are few studies dealing with the problem of communication and information exchange. Furthermore, the issue of veterinary knowledge and information sharing amongst people within village communities remains unexplored. In order to reduce the lack of studies, a sociological investigation about veterinary information exchanges between people in the department of Solenzo, Burkina Faso, has been carried out. A knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) questionnaire and network matrices were used to collect data from 430 livestock keepers. Results showed that livestock keepers share veterinary information in general, and in particular, animal trypanosomosis information through conversations with close relatives and friends (82.1%) in small groups. But all participating livestock keepers in these conversations are not information transmitters. The rate of livestock keepers with own initiative of information transmission was only 50.2%. Using social networks analysis methodology, we analyzed four animal trypanosomosis information transmission networks in the study villages. The connexity and density analyses revealed a strong integration of livestock keepers in their respective communication networks. Unfortunately, the rate of participation to the animal trypanosomosis information sharing was rather weak. The analysis of centralizations showed the existence of intermediaries in information channels and most livestock keepers have the capacity to transmit information rapidly, without any obstacle. Therefore, the social support offered by the four networks to livestock keepers was reliable to allow an efficient circulation of information about animal trypanosomosis and its control strategies. [IN FRENCH] En Afrique et ailleurs, le rôle et l’influence de la communication dans la diffusion des innovations techniques et le succès des projets de développement sont connus. A ce propos, il existe une abondante littérature. Mai, force est de constater que la plupart des études ont été réalisées dans les domaines de l’agriculture et de la santé humaine. Dans le domaine de la santé animale, il existe très peu d’études sur la problématique de la communication. De plus, la question de l’échange interpersonnel des connaissances et des informations vétérinaires au sein des communautés villageoises reste inexplorée. Pour pallier cette insuffisance d’études, une investigation sociologique sur le processus d’échange interpersonnel des informations vétérinaires a été réalisée dans la commune de Solenzo au Burkina Faso. Un questionnaire sur les connaissances, attitudes et pratiques (CAP), et des matrices de données relationnelles ont été utilisés pour collecter les informations auprès de 430 éleveurs. Les résultats ont montré que les éleveurs se transmettent des informations vétérinaires en général et sur la trypanosomose animale en particulier à travers les conversations populaires (82,1 %) entre proches dans les groupes restreints. Mais tous les éleveurs participant aux séances de conversations ne sont pas émetteurs d’informations. En effet, la proportion des éleveurs qui ont eu des initiatives personnelles de transmission des informations représente 50,2 % de l’échantillon. En utilisant la méthode de l’analyse des réseaux sociaux, nous avons analysé quatre réseaux d’échange d’informations sur la trypanosomose animale dans les villages. L’analyse des connexités et des densités révèle une forte intégration des éleveurs dans leurs réseaux de communication respectifs. Mais le niveau de participation à l’échange d’informations sur la trypanosomose animale est relativement faible. L’analyse des centralisations révèle l’existence d’intermédiaires dans les circuits d’informations. La majorité des éleveurs ont plus de possibilités de passer rapidement les informations sans obstacles. Par conséquent, le support social offert aux éleveurs des quatre réseaux est solide pour permettre une circulation efficace des informations sur la trypanosomose animale et ses méthodes de contrôle

Réseaux sociaux et échange d'informations vétérinaires: cas de la trypanosomose animale chez les éleveurs de Solenzo dans la province des Banwa, Burkina Faso Dabire, D.; Affognon, H.; Sidibe, I. [IN ENGLISH] In Africa and elsewhere, the role and influence of communication in diffusion of technological innovations, as well as in the success of development projects, are well known and documented. However, most of the studies are carried out in agriculture and human health fields. In animal health, there are few studies dealing with the problem of communication and information exchange. Furthermore, the issue of veterinary knowledge and information sharing amongst people within village communities remains unexplored. In order to reduce the lack of studies, a sociological investigation about veterinary information exchanges between people in the department of Solenzo, Burkina Faso, has been carried out. A knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) questionnaire and network matrices were used to collect data from 430 livestock keepers. Results showed that livestock keepers share veterinary information in general, and in particular, animal trypanosomosis information through conversations with close relatives and friends (82.1%) in small groups. But all participating livestock keepers in these conversations are not information transmitters. The rate of livestock keepers with own initiative of information transmission was only 50.2%. Using social networks analysis methodology, we analyzed four animal trypanosomosis information transmission networks in the study villages. The connexity and density analyses revealed a strong integration of livestock keepers in their respective communication networks. Unfortunately, the rate of participation to the animal trypanosomosis information sharing was rather weak. The analysis of centralizations showed the existence of intermediaries in information channels and most livestock keepers have the capacity to transmit information rapidly, without any obstacle. Therefore, the social support offered by the four networks to livestock keepers was reliable to allow an efficient circulation of information about animal trypanosomosis and its control strategies. [IN FRENCH] En Afrique et ailleurs, le rôle et l’influence de la communication dans la diffusion des innovations techniques et le succès des projets de développement sont connus. A ce propos, il existe une abondante littérature. Mai, force est de constater que la plupart des études ont été réalisées dans les domaines de l’agriculture et de la santé humaine. Dans le domaine de la santé animale, il existe très peu d’études sur la problématique de la communication. De plus, la question de l’échange interpersonnel des connaissances et des informations vétérinaires au sein des communautés villageoises reste inexplorée. Pour pallier cette insuffisance d’études, une investigation sociologique sur le processus d’échange interpersonnel des informations vétérinaires a été réalisée dans la commune de Solenzo au Burkina Faso. Un questionnaire sur les connaissances, attitudes et pratiques (CAP), et des matrices de données relationnelles ont été utilisés pour collecter les informations auprès de 430 éleveurs. Les résultats ont montré que les éleveurs se transmettent des informations vétérinaires en général et sur la trypanosomose animale en particulier à travers les conversations populaires (82,1 %) entre proches dans les groupes restreints. Mais tous les éleveurs participant aux séances de conversations ne sont pas émetteurs d’informations. En effet, la proportion des éleveurs qui ont eu des initiatives personnelles de transmission des informations représente 50,2 % de l’échantillon. En utilisant la méthode de l’analyse des réseaux sociaux, nous avons analysé quatre réseaux d’échange d’informations sur la trypanosomose animale dans les villages. L’analyse des connexités et des densités révèle une forte intégration des éleveurs dans leurs réseaux de communication respectifs. Mais le niveau de participation à l’échange d’informations sur la trypanosomose animale est relativement faible. L’analyse des centralisations révèle l’existence d’intermédiaires dans les circuits d’informations. La majorité des éleveurs ont plus de possibilités de passer rapidement les informations sans obstacles. Par conséquent, le support social offert aux éleveurs des quatre réseaux est solide pour permettre une circulation efficace des informations sur la trypanosomose animale et ses méthodes de contrôle

Economic analysis of animal disease control inputs at farm level: the case of trypanocide use in villages under risk of drug resistance in West Africa Affognon, H.D.; Randolph, T.F.; Waibel, H. This paper presents an economic analysis of the use of drugs (isometamidium and diminazene) in controlling African Animal Trypanosomosis (AAT), a serious disease of cattle and small ruminants in villages that exhibit resistance to isometamidium in Burkina Faso and Mali in West Africa. The study applies a production function framework integrating a damage control function to assess the short term productivity effect of trypanocide use under different epidemiological conditions. We found that the marginal value products of isometamidium in all epidemiological conditions, and the marginal value product of diminazene in high-prevalence-high-resistance conditions are positive and greater than one revealing an underuse of trypanocidal drugs in those conditions. The economical optimum level of isometamidium is far larger than the current use level. In a strict economic interpretation, this implies that in the short term cattle farmers could increase the profitability if they increase trypanocide input beyond current levels. On the other hand, if the use of trypanocide increases, cattle farmers will also be more likely to experience future losses from trypanocide resistance. In this paper we demonstrated the feasibility of applying the damage control framework for measuring the productivity of veterinary therapeutic drugs at farm level in poor African countries.