Browsing by Author "Mdegela, R"
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Item Detection of serum neutralizing antibodies to Simbu sero-group viruses in cattle in Tanzania.(BMC Veterinary Research, 2015) Mathew, C; Klevar, S; Elbers, A; van der Poel, W; Kirkland, P; Godfroid, J; Mdegela, R; Mwamengele, G; Stokstad, MBackground: Orthobunyaviruses belonging to the Simbu sero-group occur worldwide, including the newly recognized Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in Europe. These viruses cause congenital malformations and reproductive losses in ruminants. Information on the presence of these viruses in Africa is scarce and the origin of SBV is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of antibodies against SBV and closely related viruses in cattle in Tanzania, and their possible association with reproductive disorders. Results: In a cross-sectional study, serum from 659 cattle from 202 herds collected in 2012/2013 were analyzed using a commercial kit for SBV ELISA, and 61 % were positive. Univariable logistic regression revealed significant association between ELISA seropositivity and reproductive disorders (OR = 1.9). Sera from the same area collected in 2008/2009, before the SBV epidemic in Europe, were also tested and 71 (54.6 %) of 130 were positive. To interpret the ELISA results, SBV virus neutralization test (VNT) was performed on 110 sera collected in 2012/2013, of which 51 % were positive. Of 71 sera from 2008/2009, 21 % were positive. To investigate potential cross reactivity with related viruses, 45 sera from 2012/2013 that were positive in SBV ELISA were analyzed in VNTs for Aino, Akabane, Douglas, Peaton, Sabo, SBV, Sathuperi, Shamonda, Simbu and Tinaroo viruses. All 45 sera were positive for one or more of these viruses. Twenty-nine sera (64.4 %) were positive for SBV, and one had the highest titer for this virus. Conclusions: This is the first indication that Aino, Akabane, Douglas, Peaton, Sabo, SBV, Sathuperi, Shamonda and Tinaroo viruses circulate and cause negative effect on reproductive performance in cattle in Tanzania. SBV or a closely related virus was present before the European epidemic. However, potential cross reactivity complicates the interpretation of serological studies in areas where several related viruses may circulate. Virus isolation and molecular characterization in cattle and/or vectors is recommended to further identify the viruses circulating in this region. However, isolation in cattle is difficult due to short viremic period of 2 to 6 days, and isolation in vectors does not necessarily reflect the situation in cattle.Item Detection of tilapia lake virus (TiLV) infection by PCR in farmed and wild Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) from Lake Victoria(Wiley, 2018-01-02) Mdegela, R; Chengula, A; Wamala, S; Mwega, E; Kasanga, C; Byarugaba, D; Tal, S; Bornstein, B; Dishon, A; Mutoloki, S; David, L; Evensen, O; Munang’andu, H; Mugimba, K. KTilapia lake virus disease (TiLVD) has emerged to be an important viral disease of farmed Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) having the potential to impede expansion Department of Biotechnical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda of aquaculture production. There is a need for rapid diagnostic tools to identify 3 no difference in prevalence between farmed and wild fish infected fish to limit the spread in individual farms. We report the first detection of TiLV infection by PCR in farmed and wild Nile tilapia from Lake Victoria. There was the 442 samples examined from 191 fish, 28 were positive for TiLV by PCR. In terms of tissue distribution, the head kidney (7.69%, N = 65) and spleen (10.99%, N = 191), samples had the highest prevalence (p < .0028) followed by heart samples (3.45%, N = 29). Conversely, the prevalence was low in the liver (0.71%, N = 140) and absent in brain samples (0.0%, N = 17), which have previously been shown to be target organs during acute infections. Phylogenetic analysis showed homology between our sequences and those from recent outbreaks in Israel and Thailand. Correspondence Hetron Mweemba Munang’andu, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences, Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Section of Aquatic Medicine and Nutrition, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway. Email: hetroney. mweemba.munangandu@nmbu.no Given that these findings were based on nucleic acid detection by PCR, future stud- ies should seek to isolate the virus from fish in Lake Victoria and show its ability to cause disease and virulence in susceptible fish.Item Heavy metals and organochlorine residues in water, sediments, and fish in aquatic ecosystems in urban and peri-urban areas in Tanzania(Springer, 2009-02-09) Mdegela, R; Braathen, M; Pereka, A; Mosha, R; Sandvik, M; Skaare, JHeavy metals and organochlorine residues were determined in water, sediment, fish muscle, and freshwater shrimps from aquatic environments in urban and peri-urban areas in Morogoro, Tanzania. Most of the water samples had heavy metal concentrations below WHO acceptable water quality guidelines. All sediment samples had comparable heavy metal concen- trations that suggest natural rather than anthropogenic origin. Hexachlorobenzene, α-hexachlocychlohexane, cis-chlordane, trans-nonachlordane, cis-nonachlor- dane, pp′-DDE, op′-DDD, pp′-DDD, op′-DDT, and pp′-DDT in hairy river prawn (Macrobrachium rude), African sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus), and Wami tilapia (Oreochromis urolepis) were detected at significant concentrations above the methods’ detec- tion limits. The ratio of pp′-DDT to ∑DDTs was 0.4 in O. urolepis and 0.3 in C. gariepinus, which indicated previous rather than current use of DDT. In M. rude, only pp′-DDE was detected and inO. urolepis and C. gariepinus there were higher levels of pp′-DDE than pp′-DDT, which demonstrate uptake of pp′-DDE, rather than pp′-DDT, from the environment. Bioaccumulation of organochlorines and mercury was the highest in C. gariepinus, cadmium in M. rude, and lead in both M. rude and O. urolepis. Maximum detected levels of organochlo- rine pesticides and heavy metals in M. rude, O. urolepis, and C. gariepinus were below the maximum permissible concentrations recommended by FAO/ WHO. It is concluded that, at present, the contribution of anthropogenic sources in pollution of aquatic environments in Morogoro urban and peri-urban areas are low and that the concentrations of heavy metals and organochlorine pesticides in water and fish do not indicate a risk to the consumers.Item Prevalence and impact of water-borne zoonotic pathogens in water, cattle and humans in selected villages in Dodoma Rural and Bagamoyo districts, Tanzania(Elsevier, 2005-08-15) Munishi, P; Kusiluka, L; Karimuribo, E; Mdegela, R; Luoga, E; Mlozi, M; Kambarage, DA study on the prevalence of water-borne zoonotic pathogens in water, cattle and humans was conducted in six villages in Dodoma Rural (5) and Bagamoyo (1) districts, Tanzania. Water sources were screened for faecal coliform organisms, thermophilic Campylobac- ter, Salmonella, Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Faecal samples from cattle and humans were also analysed for the above specific patho- gens. Results indicate that 70.8% (n = 48) of the water sources screened were contaminated with faecal coliform organisms. Water sources in two villages, one each in Dodoma Rural and Bagamoyo districts were also contaminated with Giardia lamblia. The overall prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni in cattle in the two study areas was 2.3% (n = 942) and at least one animal in each village was infected with C. jejuni. Cryptosporidium parvum was detected in 0.5% (n = 942) of the cattle examined in three villages in Dodoma district. Sal- monella spp. was demonstrated in only 1.4% (n = 144) of the cattle in Chalinze village in Dodoma Rural district while G. lamblia was only detected in 1.5% (n = 202) of the animals examined in Chamakweza village in Bagamoyo district. Nine (1.9%) of the people screened at three heath centres in the study areas were infected with C. jejuni while 3.7% (n = 484) of the people had C. parvum oocysts. G. lamblia was detected in 2.5% of the 202 people screened at the Chalinze health centre in Bagamoyo district. Analysis of the secondary data revealed that clinical complaints related to enteric diseases were prevalent in humans in the two areas throughout the year and the prev- alence varied from about 1% to 25% in both <5 years and P5 years patients. In conclusion, this study has highlighted the possible public health risks, which may be associated with keeping of animals and sharing of water sources between humans and animals. 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.