The prevalence of serum antibodies to Ehrlichia ruminantium infection in ranch cattle in Tanzania : a cross-sectional study

Swai, Emmanuel S.; Mtui, P. F.; Changa, A; Machange, G.

doi:10.4102/jsava.v79i2.247

Cited by 12 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Seven different tick species of 33 known in Senegal were collected in the studied regions. The most abundant species, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi , is one of the most common ticks that feed not only on domestic animals, but also many species of wild animals in Africa [41], [55]. The species is confined to the Afrotropical zoogeographical region in sub-Saharan Africa [44].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tick-Borne Rickettsioses, Neglected Emerging Diseases in Rural Senegal

et al. 2010

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BackgroundRickettsioses are one of the most important causes of systemic febrile illness among travelers from developed countries, but little is known about their incidence in indigenous populations, especially in West Africa.Methodology/Principal FindingsOverall seroprevalence evaluated by immunofluorescence using six rickettsial antigens (spotted fever and typhus group) in rural populations of two villages of the Sine-Saloum region of Senegal was found to be 21.4% and 51% for spotted fever group rickettsiae for Dielmo and Ndiop villages, respectively. We investigated the role of tick-borne rickettsiae as the cause of acute non-malarial febrile diseases in the same villages. The incidence of rickettsial DNA in 204 blood samples from 134 (62M and 72F) febrile patients negative for malaria was studied. DNA extracted from whole blood was tested by two qPCR systems. Rickettsial DNA was found in nine patients, eight with Rickettsia felis (separately reported). For the first time in West Africa, Rickettsia conorii was diagnosed in one patient. We also tested 2,767 Ixodid ticks collected in two regions of Senegal (Niakhar and Sine-Saloum) from domestic animals (cows, sheep, goats, donkeys and horses) by qPCR and identified five different pathogenic rickettsiae. We found the following: Rickettsia aeschlimannii in Hyalomma marginatum rufipes (51.3% and 44.8% in Niakhar and Sine-Saloum region, respectively), in Hyalomma truncatum (6% and 6.8%) and in Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (0.5%, only in Niakhar); R. c. conorii in Rh. e. evertsi (0.4%, only in Sine-Saloum); Rickettsia massiliae in Rhipicephalus guilhoni (22.4%, only in Niakhar); Rickettsia sibirica mongolitimonae in Hyalomma truncatum (13.5%, only in Sine-Saloum); and Rickettsia africae in Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (0.7% and 0.4% in Niakhar and Sine-Saloum region, respectively) as well as in Rhipicephalus annulatus (20%, only in Sine-Saloum). We isolated two rickettsial strains from H. truncatum: R. s. mongolitimonae and R. aeschlimannii.Conclusions/SignificanceWe believe that together with our previous data on the high prevalence of R. africae in Amblyomma ticks and R. felis infection in patients, the presented results on the distribution of pathogenic rickettsiae in ticks and the first R. conorii case in West Africa show that the rural population of Senegal is at risk for other tick-borne rickettsioses, which are significant causes of febrile disease in this area.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tick-Borne Rickettsioses, Neglected Emerging Diseases in Rural Senegal

et al. 2010

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“…This wide variability may suggest differences in factors related to cattle management across various areas. The prevalence recorded in the present study is sufficiently high; however, to warrant the implementation of appropriate control strategies since there may be a risk of clinical disease if susceptible animals are present [29]. The herd prevalence was 35.5%, at nearly twice the animal prevalence, possibly indicating that E. ruminantium infection in this area represents a herd health concern rather than an individual animal’s problem [29].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

“…The overall prevalence of E. ruminantium in cattle reported in this study was 18.6%, similar to the 15% reported in Mozambique [27], though lower than 50% reported by Swai et al . [29] in Tanzania and 33% in Zimbabwe [26] and higher than 4.5% in Uganda [21] and 4.1% in Ethiopia [25]. This wide variability may suggest differences in factors related to cattle management across various areas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and risk factors associated with Ehrlichia infections in smallholder dairy cattle in Nairobi City County, Kenya

et al. 2019

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Background and Aim: Ehrlichiosis caused by Ehrlichia ruminantium is a tick-borne disease of great economic importance in cattle production worldwide. Despite its economic impact, limited knowledge is available on its epidemiology in Africa, including Kenya. Suspected cases of E. ruminantium infections have been reported in the recent past to the University of Nairobi's Veterinary Hospital, prompting the need to investigate their possible re-emergence. Therefore, this study was aimed at determining the prevalence of E. ruminantium among smallholder dairy cattle in Nairobi City County and to assess potential risk factors. This knowledge may guide the development of appropriate control strategies of ehrlichiosis, subsequently reducing associated losses. Materials and Methods: A total of 107 smallholder dairy farms from Nairobi City County were recruited for the study. Blood samples were collected from 314 apparently healthy dairy cattle, and Giemsa-stained blood smears were screened under the microscope for Ehrlichia species. A commercial antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit was then used to confirm the presence of the infections in serum samples. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data on management practices that may be potential risk factors. A univariate and mixed-effects logistic regression was then used to determine significant risk factors. Results: On microscopy, 79.3% (249/314) of the sampled animals had Ehrlichia-like inclusion bodies in white blood cells, though only 18.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 14.2-23.0) of these were confirmed to be E. ruminantium on ELISA. A farm-level prevalence of 35.5% (95% CI 27.0-45.3) was reported. Female-headed households (p=0.013), farms in Langata region (p=0.027), cleaning of cowsheds fortnightly (p=0.019), and roofing of cowshed (p=0.022) were factors significantly associated with E. ruminantium infections. Conclusion: There is a relatively high prevalence of E. ruminantium infections in apparently healthy cattle in smallholder dairy farms in this area, warranting control measures. It is critical to improve animal welfare-related factors, such as cowshed cleaning and roofing, as well as the strategic location of farms, especially, since reservoirs may reduce infection levels in the farms, in relation to wildlife. However, since Ehrlichia-like inclusion bodies other than those of E. ruminantium were observed in this study, there is a need to investigate further these factors and the possibility of other Ehrlichia species infecting cattle in the study area.

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“…In addition, mechanical transmission has been reported through fomites contaminated with infected blood 29 On the other hand, there is currently little evidence recording the circulation of the Ehrlichia species related to cattle or to the livestock context in Colombia, which contrasts with the exposure to Ehrlichia genus found in this study. However, literature reports exposure to Ehrlichia ruminantium in bovines from cattle systems in Tanzania 31 and molecular detection of this microbial agent in cattle systems in Turkey 32 . In Colombia, Ehrlichia species has been detected in hosts such as dogs, and Ehrlichia canis infection has been identified as the cause canine monocytic ehrlichiosis 33 ; also, its relation to infections in human cases has been suggested.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Serological evidence of exposure to some zoonotic microorganisms in cattle and humans with occupational exposure to livestock in Antioquia, Colombia

Eraso-Cadena

Molina-Guzmán

Cardona³

et al. 2018

Cad. Saúde Pública

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Bacteria belonging to Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia and Coxiella genera are considered emerging pathogens and livestock is one of the contexts where the transmission of these microorganisms can occur. The goal of this study was to determine serological evidence for the exposure to these bacteria in cattle and humans with occupational exposure to livestock in the subregions North and Magdalena Medio, Antioquia, Colombia, and to explore related factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 48 livestock farms distributed in six municipalities from both subregions: Belmira, Entrerríos and San Pedro de los Milagros (North), and Puerto Berrío, Puerto Nare and Puerto Triunfo (Magdalena Medio). Blood samples from 332 people and 384 bovines were evaluated by serology (IgM and IgG) screening for bacteria from the Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, and Coxiella genera. Seropositivity in humans from both regions was 42.4% (95%CI: 31.2-55.1) for Anaplasma, 74.2% (95%CI: 66.0-84.4) for Ehrlichia, 72.5% (95%CI: 62.1-82.0) for Rickettsia, and 60.7% (95%CI: 59.7-69.1) for Coxiella burnetii. In cattle, seropositivity was 31.6% (95%CI: 19.9-44.2), 66.8% (95%CI: 55.2-78.1), 64.6% (95%CI: 53.8-74.5), and 61.6% (95%CI: 51.9-69.2), respectively. History of biting by ticks, milking, vaccination, having dogs and hens in the residence, as well as the consumption of raw milk derivatives were some factors associated with the infection by the bacteria studied. The results suggest a previous and recent exposure to these zoonotic bacteria genera in people with occupational exposure to livestock, as well as in cattle in the two studied subregions.

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The prevalence of serum antibodies to Ehrlichia ruminantium infection in ranch cattle in Tanzania : a cross-sectional study

Cited by 12 publications

References 23 publications

Tick-Borne Rickettsioses, Neglected Emerging Diseases in Rural Senegal

Tick-Borne Rickettsioses, Neglected Emerging Diseases in Rural Senegal

Prevalence and risk factors associated with Ehrlichia infections in smallholder dairy cattle in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Serological evidence of exposure to some zoonotic microorganisms in cattle and humans with occupational exposure to livestock in Antioquia, Colombia

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