Sero-epidemiological survey of < i > Coxiella burnetii < /i > in livestock and humans in Tana river and garissa counties in Kenya

by Damaris Mwololo, Daniel Nthiwa, Philip Kitala, Tequiero Abuom, Martin Wainaina, Salome Kairu-Wanyoike, Johanna F. Lindahl, Enoch Ontiri, Salome Bukachi, Ian Njeru, Joan Karanja, Rosemary Sang, Delia Grace, Bernard Bett BackgroundCoxiella burnetii is a widely distributed pathogen, but data on its epidemiology in livestock, and human populations remains scanty, especially in developing countries such as Kenya. We used the One Health approach to estimate the seroprevalance ofC.burnetii in cattle, sheep, goats and human populations in Tana River county, and in humans in Garissa county, Kenya. We also identified potential determinants of exposure among these hosts. MethodsData were collected through a cross-sectional study with a cluster sampling design. Serum samples were taken from 2,727 animals (466 cattle, 1,333 goats, and 928 sheep) and 974 humans and screened for Phase I/II IgG antibodies againstC.burnetii using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data on potential factors associated with animal and human exposure were collected using a structured questionnaire. Multivariable analyses were performed with households as random effects to adjust for the within-household correlation ofC.burnetii exposure among animals and humans, respectively. ResultsThe overall apparent seroprevalence estimates ofC.burnetii in livestock and humans were 12.80% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.57 –14.11) and 24.44% (95% CI: 21.77–27.26), respectively. In livestock, the seroprevalen...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Source Type: research