Browsing by Author "Kazwala, Rudovick R."
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Item Direct detection of brucella species in blood clots from live- stock in Northern Tanzania(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2021) AbdulHamid, S. Lukambagire; Akoko, James M.; Mathew, Coletha; Sambu, Rosamystica M.; Mwampashi, Raphael R.; Yapi, Richard; Amani, Nelson B.; Njau, Judith S.; Bonfoh, Bassirou; Shirima, Gabriel M.; Mmbaga, Blandina T.; Kasanga, Christopher J.; Katani, Robab; Halliday, Jo E.B.; Kazwala, Rudovick R.Brucellosis is an endemic zoonotic disease of public health priority in many sub-Saharan countries, where robust tools for detection of Brucella in animal populations are needed for sur- veillance. Blood collected from 501 animals at a ranch suspecting brucellosis was tested for Brucella infection using molecular and serological techniques. Information on animal species, sex and abortion history were recorded. Blood clot DNA extracts were tested using two Brucella spp. genus specific targets, IS711 and bcsp31. Samples positive for both targets were subjected to a multiplex species-specific assay targeting alkB for B. abortus and BMEI1162 for B. melitensis. All sera were tested using the Rose Bengal test. Brucella spp. DNA was detected by qPCR in a total of 58 (11.6%) of 501 blood samples. B. abortus was identified in 18 and B. melitensis in 22 of the 58 samples posi- tive for Brucella spp. A total of 73 (14.6%) of 501 sera tested positive by RBT with poor agreement (kappa = 0.102) between the RBT and Brucella spp. qPCR assay results. Brucella abortus was found in cattle and goats, while B. melitensis was detected in cattle, sheep and goats. These findings sup- port the use of molecular assays alongside serology in brucellosis surveillance programs.Item Epidemiology of Leptospirosis in Africa: A systematic review of a neglected zoonosis and a paradigm for ‘one health’ in Africa(PLOS, 2015-09) Allan, Kathryn J.; Biggs, Holly M.; Halliday, Jo E. B.; Kazwala, Rudovick R.; Maro, Venance P.; Cleaveland, Sarah; Crump, John A.Background Leptospirosis is an important but neglected bacterial zoonosis that has been largely overlooked in Africa. In this systematic review, we aimed to summarise and compare current knowledge of: (1) the geographic distribution, prevalence, incidence and diversity of acute human leptospirosis in Africa; and (2) the geographic distribution, host range, prevalence and diversity of Leptospira spp. infection in animal hosts in Africa. Methods Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we searched for studies that described (1) acute human leptospirosis and (2) pathogenic Leptospira spp. infection in animals. We performed a literature search using eight international and regional databases for English and non-English articles published between January 1930 to October 2014 that met out pre-defined inclusion criteria and strict case definitions. Results and Discussion We identified 97 studies that described acute human leptospirosis (n = 46) or animal Leptospira infection (n = 51) in 26 African countries. The prevalence of acute human leptospirosis ranged from 2 3% to 19 8% (n = 11) in hospital patients with febrile illness. Incidence estimates were largely restricted to the Indian Ocean islands (3 to 101 cases per 100,000 per year (n = 6)). Data from Tanzania indicate that human disease incidence is also high in mainland Africa (75 to 102 cases per 100,000 per year). Three major species (Leptospira borgpetersenii, L. interrogans and L. kirschneri) are predominant in reports from Africa and isolates from a diverse range of serogroups have been reported in human and animal infections …Item Gendered asymmetry of access to knowledge for brucellosis control among pastoral communities in north-west Côte d’Ivoire(Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice, 2022) Babo, Stephane A. Y.; Fokou, Gilbert; Yapi, Richard B.; Mathew, Coletha; Dayoro, Arnaud K.; Kazwala, Rudovick R.; Bonfoh, BassirouBrucellosis is an infectious zoonotic disease considered as a threat to public health and pastoralist livelihoods. Symptoms of the disease can lead to gender-specific ailments such as abortions in women and orchitis in men. Pastoralists and their families are at high risk of contracting the disease. Access to health information reinforces existing knowledge and contributes to disease prevention. However, in developing countries, interventions for knowledge sharing on zoonotic diseases predominantly target men. This study aimed to describe mechanisms of knowledge production and transfer on brucellosis according to gender, by assessing the way knowledge affects behaviours of pastoral communities. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among a pastoral community (PC) of the Folon region in north-west Côte d’Ivoire. The study included transhumant pastoralists, sedentary livestock owners, shepherds and their wives. By using mixed methods, 26 semi-structured interviews were conducted, and 320 questionnaires were completed. Statistical analysis with chi-square (χ2) comparison tests was performed to compare variables between men and women. Findings were interpreted through the concept of specialisation of the social exclusion theory. We found that gender influences access to information on brucellosis and transfer of knowledge on brucellosis appeared gender-biased, especially from veterinarians towards men in the community. The social labour division and interventions of veterinarians through awareness reinforce the knowledge gap on brucellosis between men and women. Men and women consume raw milk, whilst only men in general handle animal discharges with bare hands. To improve the control of brucellosis, knowledge on best practice should be shared with pastoral communities using the One Health approach that encourages mutual learning. Innovative strategies based on gender daily tasks such as safe dairy processing by women and safe animal husbandry to expand their herd for men can be the entry point for the prevention of brucellosis.Item Incidence estimates of acute Q fever and spotted fever group rickettsioses, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, from 2007 to 2008 and from 2012 to 2014(The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2022) Pisharody, Sruti; Rubach, Matthew P.; Carugati, Manuela; Nicholson, William L.; Perniciaro, Jamie L.; Biggs, Holly M.; Maze, Michael J.; Hertz, Julian T.; Halliday, Jo E. B.; Allan, Kathryn J.; Mmbaga, Blandina T.; Saganda, Wilbrod; Lwezaula, Bingileki F.; Kazwala, Rudovick R.; Cleaveland, Sarah; Maro, Venance P.; Crump, John A.Q fever and spotted fever group rickettsioses (SFGR) are common causes of severe febrile illness in north- ern Tanzania. Incidence estimates are needed to characterize the disease burden. Using hybrid surveillance—coupling case-finding at two referral hospitals and healthcare utilization data—we estimated the incidences of acute Q fever and SFGR in Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, from 2007 to 2008 and from 2012 to 2014. Cases were defined as fever and a four-fold or greater increase in antibody titers of acute and convalescent paired sera according to the indirect immunoflu- orescence assay of Coxiella burnetii phase II antigen for acute Q fever and Rickettsia conorii (2007–2008) or Rickettsia africae (2012–2014) antigens for SFGR. Healthcare utilization data were used to adjust for underascertainment of cases by sentinel surveillance. For 2007 to 2008, among 589 febrile participants, 16 (4.7%) of 344 and 27 (8.8%) of 307 partici- pants with paired serology had Q fever and SFGR, respectively. Adjusted annual incidence estimates of Q fever and SFGR were 80 (uncertainty range, 20–454) and 147 (uncertainty range, 52–645) per 100,000 persons, respectively. For 2012 to 2014, among 1,114 febrile participants, 52 (8.1%) and 57 (8.9%) of 641 participants with paired serology had Q fever and SFGR, respectively. Adjusted annual incidence estimates of Q fever and SFGR were 56 (uncertainty range, 24–163) and 75 (uncertainty range, 34–176) per 100,000 persons, respectively. We found substantial incidences of acute Q fever and SFGR in northern Tanzania during both study periods. To our knowledge, these are the first incidence esti- mates of either disease in sub-Saharan Africa. Our findings suggest that control measures for these infections warrant consideration.Item Mycobacteria in terrestrial small mammals on cattle farms in Tanzania(SAGE-Hindawi Access to Research, 2011-04) Durnez, Lies; Katakweba, Abdul; Sadiki, Harrison; Katholi, Charles R.; Kazwala, Rudovick R.; Machang’u, Robert R.; Portaels, Franc¸oise; Leirs, HerwigThe control of bovine tuberculosis and atypicalmycobacterioses in cattle in developing countries is important but difficult because of the existence of wildlife reservoirs. In cattle farms in Tanzania, mycobacteria were detected in 7.3% of 645 small mammals and in cow’s milk. The cattle farms were divided into “reacting” and “nonreacting” farms, based on tuberculin tests, and more mycobacteria were present in insectivores collected in reacting farms as compared to nonreacting farms. More mycobacteria were also present in insectivores as compared to rodents. All mycobacteria detected by culture and PCR in the small mammals were atypical mycobacteria. Analysis of the presence of mycobacteria in relation to the reactor status of the cattle farms does not exclude transmission between smallmammals and cattle but indicates that transmission to cattle from another source of infection is more likely. However, because of the high prevalence of mycobacteria in some small mammal species, these infected animals can pose a risk to humans, especially in areas with a high HIV-prevalence as is the case in Tanzania