Animal trypanosomoses caused by Trypanosoma evansi, T. vivax and T. equiperdum occur in several parts of the world and cause economically important diseases in many countries including those in Asia, Africa and South America. Interest in these diseases has increased over the past few years, and work on NTTAT is taking place in many laboratories. A considerable amount of the work on T. evansi and T. equiperdum has taken place in China and Chinese scientists have made considerable contributions in this area. It is now about six years since the second international meeting on NTTAT has been held (Obihiro, Japan , August 1998 which dealt almost exclusively with Surra), updating the first meeting (Annecy, France, October 1992 which drew a particular attention to NTTAT). It therefore seems appropriate to consider holding another meeting to consider further the advances in research that have taken place over the last few years.

The occasion of the 12th International Congress on Protozoology (ICOP) that is to be held in Guangzhou in July 10 -15, 2005 provides a unique opportunity for scientists from China to host a Third International Meeting on NTTAT. It is intended to hold this meeting on the 9th and 10th of July, 2005, two days before ICOP. The meeting will be held in Zhongshan (Sun Yet-Sen) University and you will be most welcome to join the ICOP (www.congress.com.cn) after the NTTAT symposium. All participants can register directly from the ICOP. The registration fee covers both ICOP and the NTTAT meeting. Your outstanding results are welcome to present in both meetings.

The scope of the symposium will be widened to include all species of non-tsetse transmitted trypanosomes and the following major topics will be addressed:

1. Basic biological studies on NTTAT (T. evansi, T. equiperdum and T. vivax infections) including differentiation between T. evansi and T. equiperdum.
2. Molecular studies on T. evansi, T. equiperdum and T. vivax
3. Epidemiology of NTTAT worldwide.
4. Diagnostic methods including serological and molecular methods currently in development.
5. Pathogenicity of T. evansi and T. vivax strains according to geographical zones and animal species.
6. Control methods, including chemotherapy.
7. Economic impact of NTTAT.
8. Transmission, including studies on insect vectors

We shall be pleased if you could indicate your interest in participating in this meeting and presenting a paper by sending a message to the local co-ordinator, Dr Zhao-Rong Lun. We sincerely hope that we can meet in Guangzhou next year.

Contact person:
Dr. Zhao-Rong Lun
Center for Parasitic Organisms
School of Life Sciences
Zhongshan University
Guangzhou 510275
P.R. China
Fax: +86 20-8403 6215
Phone: + 86 20-8411 5079 or 8411 5070
Email:lsslzr@zsu.edu.cn

International Scientific Committee: Dr. T. Baltz (France), Dr. Reto Brun (Switzerland), Dr. F. Claes (Belgium), Drs. I. Igarashi/N. Inoue (Japan), Dr. A. Luckins (U.K. Chairman), Dr. Zhao-Rong Lun (China), Dr. L. Touratier (OIE representative), Dr. Simon Reid (AU), Dr M. Desquesnes (France).