title: Seroprevalence of Anaplasma marginale and Babesia bigemina infections and associated risk factors in Machakos County, Kenya.
abstract: Anaplasma marginale and Babesia bigemina are important tick-borne pathogens of cattle. A cross-sectional survey was undertaken to determine the seroprevalence of A. marginale and B. bigemina infections and identify associated risk factors on traditional smallholder farms in Machakos County, Kenya. A total of 421 cattle from 127 farms from four divisions in the county were sampled and visited between September and November 2007. The farms were selected by a proportional allocation approach based on the number of farms in the four divisions previously selected by stratified random sampling method. Information on animal and individual farm management variables was obtained using standardized questionnaires. Prevalence of serum antibodies due to A. marginale and B. bigemina pathogens was determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. The relationship between the seropositivity and associated risk factors was assessed by multivariable analyses using standard logistic regression models. The overall estimation (and their 95% confidence intervals) of A. marginale and B. bigemina seropositivity at the animal level was 53.4% (48.5%, 58.2%) and 40.6% (35.8%, 45.4%), respectively. Two variables, "animal age" and "administrative division," were significantly associated with the A. marginale seroresponse. Three variables, "animal age" "grazing system" and "administrative division" were significantly associated with the B. bigemina seroresponse. These findings suggest possible indicators of existence of endemic instability for the two infections. The study identifies characterization of environmental suitability for the vectors and how they interact with grazing systems to cause the infections as an area for further studies, for improved understanding of the infections and in designing disease control programs.
authors.affiliation: Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), Muguga South, P.O. Box 32, Kikuyu, Kenya.
authors.forename: F D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Wesonga
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya. mwangigachohi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gachohi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Kitala
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gathuma
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Njenga
mesh_terms: D042322:Anaplasma marginale / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000712:Anaplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D000818:Animals; D001403:Babesia / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001404:Babesiosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
keywords: Anaplasma marginale; Babesia bigemina; Kenya; Machakos; Seroprevalence