Homidium bromide as a chemoprophylactic for cattle trypanosomiasis in Kenya

Abstract Homidium bromide was used in a strategic chemoprophylactic regime to control trypanosomiasis in Boran cattle in Kenya. Trypanosome infection rates in cattle receiving homidium bromide prophylaxis were compared with those in control cattle which received no prophylaxis but were treated with diminazene aceturate when infected. Homidium bromide was administered twice during the year after which no infections were detected for periods of nineteen weeks and seventeen weeks respectively. The drug sensitivity of the infecting trypanosomes is believed to be a major factor in determining the duration of prophylaxis.