Browsing by Author "Mhamphi, G."

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Effect of synthetic hormones on reproduction in Mastomys natalensis
(Journal of Pest Science., 2018) Massawe, A. W.; Makundi, Rhodes H.; Zhang, Z.; Mhamphi, G.; Liu, M.; Jun Li, H.; Belmain, S. R.
Rodent pest management traditionally relies on some form of lethal control. Developing effective fertility control for pest rodent species could be a major breakthrough particularly in the context of managing rodent population outbreaks. This laboratory-based study is the first to report on the effects of using fertility compounds on an outbreaking rodent pest species found throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Mastomys natalensis were fed bait containing the synthetic steroid hormones quinestrol and levonorgestrel, both singly and in combination, at three concentrations (10, 50, 100 ppm) for 7 days. Consumption of the bait and animal body mass was mostly the same between treatments when analysed by sex, day and treatment. However, a repeated measures ANOVA indicated that quinestrol and quinestrol + levonorgestrel treatments reduced consumption by up to 45%, particularly at the higher concentrations of 50 and 100 ppm. Although there was no clear concentration effect on animal body mass, quinestrol and quinestrol + levonorgestrel lowered body mass by up to 20% compared to the untreated and levonorgestrel treatments. Quinestrol and quinestrol + levonorgestrel reduced the weight of male rat testes, epididymis and seminal vesicles by 60–80%, and sperm concentration and motility were reduced by more than 95%. No weight changes were observed to uterine and ovarian tissue; however, high uterine oedema was observed among all female rats consuming treated bait at 8 and 40 days from trial start. Trials with mate pairing showed there were significant differences in the pregnancy rate with all treatments when compared to the untreated control group of rodents.
Pcr detection of Leptospira DNA in rodents and insecti- vores from Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2005-12) Mgode, G.F.; Mhamphi, G.; Katakweba, A.; Paemelaere, E.; Willekens, N.; Leirs, H.; Machang, R.S.; Hartskeerl, R.A.
The true prevalence of leptospirosis in Tanzania is unknown or underestimated. In this study we report on the prevalence of leptospirosis in Morogoro, Tanzania, by PCR detection of leptospiral DNA in 27 kid- neys of rodents (Mastomys spp, Rattus spp, and Mus spp) and insectivores (Crocidura spp). The PCR study comple- mented previous attempts to isolate the leptospires and to perform seroprevalence by the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Results of this study indicated an overall detection rate of 11 % by PCR, 7.4% by isolation and 0% by the MAT. Based on our analysis, it is recommended to use PCR and isolation for the detection of leptospires in potential host animals.
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.
Serological and molecular characterization of leptospira serovar Kenya from captive African giant pouched rats (Cricetomys gambianus) from Morogoro Tanzania
(2004-03-07) Machangu, R.S.; Mgode, G.F.; Assenga, J.; Mhamphi, G.; Weetjens, B.; Cox, C.; Verhagen, R.; Sondij, S; Goris, M.G.; Hartskeerl, R.A.
Two identical leptospiral isolates coded Sh9 and Sh25 obtained from the urine of captive African giant pouched rats (Cricetomys gambianus), destined for use as biodetector of antipersonnel landmines were typed as serovar Kenya using cross-agglutination absorption test and DNA fingerprinting with the insertion element sequences IS1533 and IS1500 derived primers. The two isolates were previously characterized using cultural and serological – microagglutination test as pathogenic leptospires of the serogroup Ballum, closely related to serovars Kenya and Peru. To our knowledge, this is the first reported in-depth characterization of leptospira isolates from Tanzania.