Browsing by Author "Sharp, J. M."
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Item Isolation of mycobacterium species from raw milk of pastoral cattle of the southern highlands of Tanzania(Tropical Animal Health and Production, 1998) Kazwala, R. R.; Daborn, C. J.; Kusiluka, C. J.; Jiwa, S. F. H.; Sharp, J. M.; Kambarage, D. M.A study to determine the secretion of Mycobacterium spp. in milk from indigenous cattle was carried out in pastoral cattle reared in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. The study was aimed at elucidating the dangers associated with milk-borne zoonoses in a society where milk is normally consumed raw. Out of 805 milk samples, 31 (3.9%) were positive for mycobacteria. There was a preponderance of atypical mycobacteria (87%) whereas only two isolates (6.5%) were con¢rmed as M. bovis. Atypical mycobacteria included: M. terrae (n=7), M. fortuitum (n=2), M. £avescens (n = 13), M. gordonae (n=1) and M. smegmatis (n = 4). Although the number of M. bovis positive samples was low, the habit of pooling milk may still pose great public health dangers to milk consumers in this part of the world. Moreover, isolation of atypical mycobacteria should also be considered to be a danger to human health in countries such as Tanzania, where the number of people with lowered immunity due to HIV infection is on the increase.Item The role of livestock keeping in tuberculosis trends in Arusha, Tanzania(The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 2003-01-15) Mfinanga, S. G.; Mørkve, O.; Kazwala, R. R.; Cleaveland, S.; Sharp, J. M.; Shirima, G.; Nilsen, R.OBJECTIVE: To assess risk factors that might influence TB control in the general population and in livestockkeepers. METHODS: Of 242 villages in four districts, 27 were selected randomly. In each village, a general and a livestock- keeping group were selected at random. The households were home-visited and 426 family members were interviewed. RESULTS: On average, three-quarters of households practised at least one risk activity for transmission of zoonotic tuberculosis, and respondents had poor knowledge about tuberculosis. In the livestock-keeping group, the risks of having a tuberculosis patient in the family were determined by poor ventilation (OR 2.6, 95%CI 1.1–6.5), confining livestock indoors with people (OR 2.3, 95%CI 1.1–5.0) and multiple determinants including poor ventilation (OR 13.5, 95%CI 2.5–71.7). Risk activities and the risks of having a tuberculosis patient in a family were significantly higher in the livestock-keeping group. CONCLUSIONS: The respondents had limited knowledge about tuberculosis, and the households had practices that posed potential risks for both human and bovine tuberculosis infection. Poor ventilation and confining livestock indoors were associated with tuberculosis spread in the households. These risks were observed more in the livestock-keeping group than in the general population group.Item Tribal differences in perception of tuberculosis: A possible role in tuberculosis control in Arusha, Tanzania(International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease., 2003) Mfinanga, S. G.; Mørkve, O.; Kazwala, R. R.; Cleaveland, S.; Sharp, J. M.; Shirima, G.; Nilsen, R.SETTING: Arusha, Tanzania. OBJECTIVE: To determine tribal differences in knowledge and practices that might influence tuberculosis control. METHOD: Twenty-seven villages were selected randomly out of 242 villages in four districts. In each village, a general and a livestock keeping group were selected at random. The households were home-visited and 426 family members were interviewed. RESULTS: On average, 40% of respondents practiced habits that might expose them to both bovine and human tuberculosis. The Barabaig tribe had a significantly higher number of respondents (50%, X2(2) = 5.1, P = 0.024) who did not boil milk. Eating uncooked meat or meat products was practised by 17.9% of all respondents. The habit was practised more by Iraqw (21.1%, X2(2) = 6.9, P = 0.008) and Barabaig (31.6%, X2(2) = 5.6, P = 0.016) than other tribes. About 75% of the respondents had a poor knowledge of tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: All tribes had habits and beliefs that might expose them to both bovine and human tuberculosis. The Iraqw and Barabaig tribes practised such habits more than other tribes. Knowledge of tuberculosis was limited in all tribes.