Browsing by Author "Durnez, L."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2

The prevalence of Mycobacterium bovis-infection and atypical mycobacterioses in cattle in and around Morogoro, Tanzania
(Springer Science + Business Media B.V., 2009) Durnez, L.; Sadiki, H.; Katakweba, A.; Machang’u, R. R.; Kazwala, R. R.; Leirs, H.; Portaels, F.
A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Mycobacterium bovis-infection and atypical mycobacterioses in different cattle herd management systems in and around Morogoro, Tanzania. Between April and June 2005, a total of 728 bovines from 49 herds were tested for M. bovisinfection and atypical mycobacterioses. Milk samples were taken from tuberculin positive animals and analysed for the presence of mycobacteria. Total prevalences of 2.5% and 10.1% were found for M. bovisinfection and atypical mycobacterioses respectively, with more M. bovis-infection in cattle in the extensive management system and more atypical mycobacterioses in cattle in the intensive management system. From 8 out of 42 milk samples (19%) atypical mycobacteria were cultured. A higher prevalence of M. bovisinfection in the extensive sector could be due to several factors. In addition, such high prevalence puts herd owners and their families at risk for BTB. Therefore control of BTB, as well as education of cattle owners is important, especially in the extensive sector.
Rodents and Shrews as Vectors of Zoonotic Spirochetes and Trypanosomes in Tanzania
(African Journals Online (AJOL), 2013-12) Katakweba, A. A. S.; Kipanyula, M. J.; Hamphi; Durnez, L.; Mhamphi, G.; Luziga, C.; Mgode, G. F.; Machang'u, R. S.
Clinically healthy wild rodents and shrews (Crocidura spp.) were captured from different localities in Morogoro, Tanga, Dodoma, Singida, Mbeya, Kilimanjaro and Mtwara regions of Tanzania. Blood samples were collected from the captured animals and screened for infectious agents of public health importance, including; Trypanosoma spp., Plasmodium spp., Borrelia spp. and Bacillus spp. Out of 4,963 blood smears examined, 424 (8.5%) were from shrews and 4,539 (91.5%) were from rodents. Trypanosoma spp. were demonstrated in 198 (3.9%) and 7 (0.1%) blood smears of rodents and shrews, respectively. Borrelia spp. were demonstrated in 6 (0.2%) and 5 (1.2%) rodents and shrews, respectively. Bacillus spp. were found in 149 (3.6%) and 27 (6.4%) rodents and shrews respectively. Mastomys natalensis, Rattus rattus and Crocidura spp. were found to host all of the five haemoparasites detected. The public health significance of this study is notable from the fact that haemoparasites that were demonstrated in apparently healthy rodents are potential human pathogens.