Molecular, serological and epidemiological observations after a suspected outbreak of plague in Nyimba, eastern Zambia
Loading...
Date
2016
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sage
Abstract
Plague is a re-emerging zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. The disease has caused periodic global devastation
since the first outbreak in the 6th century.Twomonths after a suspected plague outbreak inNyimba district, sampleswere
collected from94livestock(goats andpigs), 25 rodents, 6 shrews and33 fleas. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques were used to investigate the presence of Y. pestis, which showed that 16.0% (4/25) of
rodents, 16.7% (1/6) of shrews (Crocidura spp) and 6.0% (5/83) of goats were positive for IgG antibodies against Fraction 1
antigen of Y. pestis. Plasminogen activator (Pla) gene (DNA) of Y. pestis was detected in five pools containing 36.4% (12/33) fleas
collected from pigs (n¼4), goats (n¼5) and rodents (n¼3). The detection of Pla gene in fleas and IgG antibodies against
Fraction1 antigen in rodents, shrews and goats suggest that Y. pestis had been present in the study area in the recent past.
Description
Tropical Doctor
Keywords
Domestic pigs, Fleas, Goats, Plague, Rodents, Zambia