Schematic life cycle of Trypanosoma brucei. 1: Bloodstream trypanosomes in mammalian host; A: long slender form; B: short stumpy form. 2: Procyclic trypanosomes in tsetse fly midgut. 3: Epimastigote trypanosomes colonize salivary glands. 4: Metacyclic trypanosomes in salivary glands can be transmitted to a mammalian host during the next tsetse fly meal. In red: localization of the parasites in the tsetse fly through the cycle.

TBR1/2 PCR identification of Trypanosoma brucei s.l in tsetse fly saliva showing 177 bp DNA satellite repeat specific for T. brucei s.l – numbers correspond to those assigned to the flies. M: 100 bp DNA size marker; Tex: DNA extraction negative control; T−: PCR-negative control; T+: positive control; (1): Strong PCR signal; (2): Medium PCR signal; (3): Weak PCR signal; (4): Negative PCR signal.