Primers and Probes for Trypanosoma Detection in Tsetse Flies

Ugandan field study details the primers and probes used for molecular xenomonitoring of Trypanosoma pathogens in tsetse flies. The dataset supports a low-cost, point-of-need protocol tested on 286 tsetse collected over nine weeks. It was created by Isabel Saldanha to facilitate pathogen detection in low-resource settings.

Use Cases

• Identify specific primers for Trypanosoma brucei sensu lato detection in tsetse fly DNA extracts.
• Compare probe sequences used for T. congolense and T. vivax detection assays in a field laboratory context.
• Replicate the low-cost, air-dryable reagent mix protocol for molecular xenomonitoring in similar entomological studies.
• Analyze primer and probe specifications to adapt the described qPCR assays for other vector-borne disease surveillance.

Strengths

• Protocol validated on 286 tsetse flies collected in a field study.
• Achieved a 98% success rate for high-quality DNA extraction in a low-resource setting.
• Reports specific Trypanosoma detection prevalences: 4.3% for T. brucei s.l., 3.6% for T. congolense, and 3.9% for T. vivax.

Limitations

• Very small data scale at 9.5 KB, containing only primer/probe sequences without raw experimental data.
• Limited to the specific primers and probes used in one study in Arua, Uganda, reducing generalizability.
• No sample data or column definitions are provided, limiting immediate analytical utility.

Provenance

Source

Isabel Saldanha via figshare.

Collection Method

Developed and optimized as part of a field study for low-resource molecular xenomonitoring.

Time Range

Study period covered nine weeks; specific dates unknown.

Freshness

Last updated March 2026.

Geography

Field station in Arua, Uganda.