Responses of tsetse fly midgut to trypanosome challenges

Glossina pallidipes tsetse flies are relatively more refractory to infection by trypanosomes than most other tsetse fly species. The resistance to infection primary begin during the initial midgut challenge where most of the invading parasites are eliminated. The goal of this study was to determine molecular nature of midgut responses in G. pallidipes to Trypanasoma brucei brucei parasite challenge early in the infection process before the onset of innate immunity in the fly. The findings will unravel molecular factors associated with ‘teneral’ effect in tsetse flies where the young (teneral) flies are typically more susceptible to trypanosome infections that their older (non-teneral) counterparts after their first blood meal.