Molecular survey of rodent-borne Trypanosoma in Niger with special emphasis on T. lewisi imported by invasive black rats

▶ Rodent-borne Trypanosoma were investigated in South Western Niger area. ▶ To do so, a new qPCR assay allowing Trypanosoma detection was developed. ▶ T. lewisi is found in 71% of the invasive black rats, as well as one native rodent. ▶ Our T. lewisi and that involved in two lethal human cases in Senegal are identical. ▶ T. lewisi introduced by human-dispersed rats may shift to wild native rodent host.