title: Infections and risk factors for livestock with species of Anaplasma, Babesia and Brucella under semi-nomadic rearing in Karamoja Region, Uganda.
abstract: A survey was conducted to estimate the prevalence of Anaplasma, Babesia and Brucella spp. infections in cattle, goats and sheep in the Karamoja Region of Uganda and to identify possible risk factors existing in this semi-nomadic and pastoral area. Low cost laboratory tests were used to diagnose infections (Rose Bengal test for Brucella spp. antibodies and direct microscopic examination for Anaplasma and Babesia spp.). Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to identify possible risk factors linked to gender, animal species, age (only for cattle) and districts. A total of 3935 cattle, 729 goats and 306 sheep of five districts of the Karamoja Region were tested. Seroprevalence for Brucella was 9.2 % (CI, 95 %: 8.4-10), for Anaplasma 19.5 % (CI 95 %: 18.4-20.6) and for Babesia 16 % (CI 95 %: 15-17.1). Significant differences in infections prevalence were observed against risk factors associated with districts and species. Cattle were the species with higher risk of the infections. Female gender was identified as at risk only for Brucella spp. infection. Cattle more than one year old had greater likelihood to be Brucella seropositive. Co-infections of Anaplasma and Babesia spp. were statistically associated, especially in goats and sheep. Further studies to identify risk factors related to host species and geographical districts are needed. The influence on the semi-nomadic agro-pastoral system in Karamoja of animal raids and animal mixing should be further investigated. Findings were important to sensitize Karamojong undertaking measures on infection control, especially on cattle, which are their main source of food.
authors.affiliation: , Via Bontempi 3, 06089, Torgiano, Perugia, Italy. chiaralolli82@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lolli
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126, Perugia, Italy. marialuisa.marenzoni@unipg.it.
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Marenzoni
authors.affiliation: Africa Mission-Cooperazione e Sviluppo, Via Cesare Martelli 6, 29122, Piacenza, Italy. paolostrona@yahoo.it.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Strona
authors.affiliation: International Cooperation and Development NGO (C&D), Lugugo Bypass, Plot 5, P.O. Box 7205, Kampala, Uganda. coopdev.lappo@hotmail.it.
authors.forename: Pier Giorgio
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Lappo
authors.affiliation: Karamoja Veterinary Laboratory, Institute for International Cooperation and Development (C&D), Moroto, Uganda. etiang.patrick@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Etiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126, Perugia, Italy. silvana.diverio@unipg.it.
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Diverio
mesh_terms: D000709:Anaplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000712:Anaplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D001403:Babesia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001404:Babesiosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002002:Brucella / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D002417:Cattle; D005260:Female; D006041:Goats; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012418:Ruminants; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012756:Sheep; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Anaplasma; Babesia; Brucella; Risk factors; Semi-nomadic rearing; Uganda