Getachew Kinfe’s research while affiliated with The Pirbright Institute and other places

Contagious caprine pleuro-pneumonia, or CCPP, is a highly contagious respiratory disease of goats that is considered one of the most severe diseases for this species. Infected animals become very sick, and most will die. The bacteria Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumoniae causes the disease. A cross-sectional study was conducted in four districts (Yabello, Elwaye, Dubuluk, and Moyale) between September 2022 and November 2023 G. C. The goal was likely to be to assess the prevalence and distribution of CCPP in this important livestock-rearing region. Sero-epidemiological surveys involve testing blood samples using competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (cELISA) to detect the presence of antibodies against Mycoplasma capricolum, subsp. Capripneumoniae, which indicates prior exposure and infection. Goats that are infected usually show signs including a high fever, coughing, dyspnea, and nasal discharge. The most popular techniques for diagnosis are bacterial isolation from clinical samples, such as lung tissues or nasal swabs, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, and the serological method. A multi-phase random sampling technique was employed, and 1007 samples from non-immunized goats were collected. The overall seroprevalence of CCPP was 39% (393/1007) at the individual animal levels. A multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that there was no significant correlation between sero-positivity by age category or sex, with odd ratios of OR (95% CI) 0.6 (0.6–9) and 1.3 (.7–2.3), respectively. This type of survey can provide insights into the overall disease burden and dynamics within a population. A study of this nature in the Borana pastoral area would be valuable for understanding the CCPP situation and informing disease control efforts in that region. Pastoralist communities heavily dependent on goat production would be greatly impacted by outbreaks of this economically-important livestock disease. The disease can be effectively reduced by a variety of control methods, including immunization, restricted movement, quarantine, and culling of sick animals.

Background Coxiella burnetii is causing infections in both humans and animals, resulting in Q fever and Coxiellosis, respectively. Information on the occurrence of C. burnetii infection is scarce in Ethiopia. This study estimated the sero-prevalence of C. burnetii infection and associated risk factors in four common livestock species from Addis Ababa, Adama, and Modjo abattoirs and pastoral areas of Oromia, Ethiopia. Results/principal findings Sera samples were analyzed for the presence of anti-C. burnetii antibodies using an indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay kit. Out of the 4140 serum samples tested, 777 (18.77%; 95% CI: 17.59, 19.99) were found positive for C. burnetii. The sero-prevalence estimate was 27.17% at Addis Ababa abattoir, 19.41% at Adama abattoir, 19.13% at Modjo abattoir and 12.1% in animals tested from pastoral areas. Sera analysis at the animal species level showed that cattle exhibited the lowest sero-prevalence estimate (11.83%; 95% CI, 10.27–13.53%), while the highest was observed in camels (28.39%; 95% CI, 25.16–31.80%). The sero-prevalence estimate was 21.34% (95% CI, 18.86–23.99%) in goats and 20.17% (95% CI, 17.49–23.07%) in sheep. The results of multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that species, age, sex of animals and tick infestation were important risk factors for C. burnetii infection. The odds of infection were 3.22 times higher in camels and almost twice as high in goats and sheep compared to cattle. Adult animals were infected more likely (OR = 3.23) than young ones. Interestingly, a significant difference was observed in the sero-prevalence of infection between animals that were infested with ticks (OR = 16.32) and those which were tick-free. Conclusion This study provides valuable insights into the sero-epidemiology of C. burnetii infection in four common livestock species at major abattoirs and pastoral areas of Ethiopia. The findings highlight the need for further studies and implementing surveillance and biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of the disease in both humans and livestock to safeguard the economical and public health aspects.

Background Q fever is a worldwide occurring neglected zoonotic disease with great economic importance. The etiological agent, Coxiella burnetii, is a bacterium usually associated with subclinical infections in livestock, but may also cause reproductive pathology and spontaneous abortions in artiodactyl species including goats, sheep and cattle which are deemed to be the primary reservoirs of this disease. Aims The present cross-sectional and questionnaire survey was undertaken in three districts of the South Omo zone with the aims to comprehend the community perception of livestock keepers and professionals about the disease, estimate the seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) in cattle and small ruminants and to determine the species of potential tick vectors of C. burnetii infesting cattle, sheep and goats. Methods A standard questionnaire was used to assess the community perception of livestock keepers and animal health professionals in the area about Q fever. Sera samples were collected from 1350 ruminants comprising 450 cattle, 450 goats and 450 sheep to detect C. burnetii antibodies using the ELISA technique. Furthermore, a total of 279 cattle, 197 goats and 73 sheep were examined for the presence of ticks, and overall, 2720 ticks were collected (1299 from cattle, 1020 from goats and 401 from sheep) and identified to the species level using morphologically identification keys. Results Findings of the study indicated that 43% of animal owners were aware of the main symptoms of the disease while the remaining 57% did not notice these symptoms in their animals. Additionally, majority of animal health professionals 76.2% in the area reported they were familiar with the causative agent of Q fever, while 23.8% expressed uncertainty regarding the cause of coxiellosis. An overall seroprevalence of C. burnetii of 37.6% in cattle (37.4% in female and 37.8% in male cattle) and 28.7% in small ruminants was recorded (which is significantly higher in goats than in sheep). The study indicated statistically significantly higher seroprevalence of C. burnetii (49.8%) in cattle infested with ticks than in those cattle free of ticks (24.2%), with three times higher seropositivity (OR = 2.97, p = 0.000) as compared to those cattle free of ticks (24.2%). Similarly, statistically significantly higher seroprevalence of C. burnetii was recorded in both sheep and goats infested with ticks (43.6%) as compared to those animals without ticks (22.9%), with the former being twice as likely to test seropositive (OR = 2.15, p = 0.000). A total of nine different tick species were identified, namely Amblyomma variegatum (Am. variegatum) with 26.3% (342; 217 males, 101 females and 24 nymphs), Amblyomma cohaerens (Am. cohaerens) with 47.96% (370 males, 253 females), Amblyomma gemma (Am. gemma) with 4.00% (52; 29 males, 23 female), Rhipicephalus pulchellus (Rh. pulchellus) with 10.6% (138; 87 males, 51 females), Rhipicephalus pravus (Rh. pravus) with 0.2% (3; 2 males, 1 females), Rhipicephalus evertsi (Rh. evertsi) with 4.7% (61; 39 males, 22 females), Rhipicephalus praetextatus (Rh. praetextatus) with 0.8% (10; 7 males, 3 females), Rhipicephalus decoloratus (Rh decoloratus) with 2.9% (38; 4 males, 34 females) and Hyalomma truncatum (Hy. truncatum) with 2.5% (32 females). Conclusion The present study highlighted the significance of Q fever in ruminants and compiled information about the community perception of livestock keepers and veterinary professionals of the study areas. The role of ruminants and their ticks in the epidemiology of C. burnetii requires further research using molecular tools to better understand appropriate method of intervention that will help to reduce negative impacts on the productivities of livestock and the health of humans in Ethiopia.

Introduction: Brucellosis is a neglected bacterial zoonosis with serious veterinary and public health importance throughout the world. A cross-sectional study on animal brucellosis was conducted aiming to estimate seroprevalence and molecular detection. Methods: Blood samples were collected from a total of 4274 individual animals (cattle, small ruminants and camel) from 241 herds/flocks for serology and PCR. Serum samples were tested using multispecies I-ELISA. Blood clots from seropositive animals were also tested for brucellosis via PCR. Additionally, 13 vaginal swab samples were collected from animals (2 from bovine and 11 from small ruminants) with recent abortion history for bacterial isolation and molecular detection. Results: The overall individual animal and herd level seroprevalence was 3.95% (169/4274) and 18.26% (44/241) respectively. The animal level seroprevalence at species level was 1.58% (47/2982), 8.89% (97/1091) and 12.44% (25/201) in bovine, small ruminants (sheep and goat) and camel, respectively. Herd level seroprevalence were 5.43% (10/184), 52.08% (25/48) and 100% (9/9) in bovine, small ruminant and camel, respectively. The animal level seroprevalence of bovine from intensive and extensive systems was 1.10% (31/2808) and 2.87% (5/174) respectively. Blood clots tested for brucellosis via PCR were negative by RT-PCR. Brucella species was isolated from 6/13 (46.15%) vaginal swab samples cultured on Brucella selective agar, and shown to be B. melitensis using Real-Time PCR. Conclusion: Overall, seropositivity for camels was higher than what has been reported previously. Also, there was a notable difference in this study in cattle seroprevalence when comparing extensive with intensive systems, with the extensive system having much greater seropositivity.

Background: Brucellosis is one of the most frequent contagious neglected bacterial diseases with serious veterinary and public health importance throughout the world. A cross-sectional study on animal brucellosis was conducted from October 2018 to July 2019 in southern and central Ethiopia with the objective of estimating seroprevalence and molecular detection. Blood samples were collected for serum extraction from a total of 4274 individual animals (cattle, small ruminants and camel) from 241 herds/flocks. Blood clots from seropositive animals were also tested for brucellosis via molecular techniques. Additionally, 13 vaginal swab samples were collected from animals with recent abortion history for bacterial isolation and molecular detection. Results: The extracted serum samples were tested using multispecies I-ELISA and the overall individual animal and herd level seroprevalence was 3.95% (169/4274) and 18.26% (44/241) respectively. The animal level seroprevalence at species level was 1.58%, 8.89%, 12.44% in bovine, small ruminants (sheep and goat) and camel, respectively. Herd level seroprevalence were 5.43%, 52.08%, 100% in bovine, small ruminant and camel, respectively. The animal and herd level seroprevalence of bovine from intensive and extensive systems was 1.1%, 2.87% and 9.2%, 50.00% respectively. Brucella species was isolated from 6/13 (46.15%) vaginal swab samples cultured on brucella selective agar, and shown to be B.melitensis using Real-Time PCR. All of the blood clots from seropositive animals were negative for the presence of Brucellaspp with PCR. Conclusions: In the regions sampled animals in all three categories – cattle, sheep/goats, and camels – mostly had low seroprevalence rates for brucellosis, without great differences from previous serosurveys done in Ethiopia. However, seropositivity for camels was higher than what has been reported previously. Also, there was a notable difference in this study in cattle seroprevalence when comparing extensive with intensive systems, with the extensive system being much higher.