Some observations on factors associated with the development of Trypanosoma brucei brucei infections in Glossina morsitans morsitans.

The susceptibility of Glossina morsitans morsitans to Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection was shown to be age-dependent during the first 12 h: the youngest age group (1-8 h after emergence) being more susceptible than the older ones. The susceptibility was enhanced by cooling the young flies to a temperature of 0-5 degrees C for 30 min. Male flies were found to be more susceptible than females. The number of trypanosomes ingested did not influence the subsequent salivary-gland infection rates observed in G.m. morsitans; however, there was a relationship between the number ingested and subsequent T.b. brucei midgut infections in the flies.