Non-tuberculous mycobacteria isolated from slaughter pigs in Mubende district, Uganda

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The importance of infections caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in animals and humans has gained considerable recognition during the past few years. In the developed world, where pig production is extensively practiced, studies on mycobacterial infections and related control strategies have received increasing attention. The infections are reported to be caused by a wide spectrum of NTM. Unfortunately, these infections have been less recognized in sub-Saharan Africa owing to lack of awareness and systematic studies. In this study we aimed at isolating and identifying species of mycobacteria involved in causing infections in slaughter pigs in Mubende district of Uganda. Furthermore we wanted to identify factors associated with infection prevalence in the study area.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 363 lymph nodes were collected and cultured for the presence of mycobacteria. Isolates were identified by 16S rDNA gene sequencing. A questionnaire survey was administered to identify production related factors associated with infection prevalence. Data were assembled and analysed using descriptive statistics and mixed effects logistic regression analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mycobacteria were detected in 39 % (143/363) of the examined lymph nodes, 63 % (59/93) of lymph nodes with gross lesions typical of mycobacteriosis and 31% (84/270) of lymph nodes with no visible lesions. Nineteen per cent of the isolated mycobacteria were identified as <it>Mycobacterium (M) avium</it>, of these 78% and 22% were <it>M. avium</it> sub sp. <it>Hominissuis</it> and <it>avium</it> respectively. Other mycobacterial species included <it>M. senuense</it> (16%)<it>, M. terrae</it> (7%) and <it>M. asiaticum</it> (6%). This study found free range systems (OR = 3.0; P = 0.034) and use of water from valley dams (OR = 2.0; P = 0.049) as factors associated with high prevalence of mycobacteria in slaughter pigs.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study demonstrated a high prevalence of NTM infections among slaughter pigs in Mubende district of Uganda. <it>M. avium</it> was the most prevalent of all NTM isolated and identified. Free range system of pig management and valley dam water were the most significant factors associated with NTM prevalence in Mubende district. These findings could be of a major public health concern given that it is in a predominantly pork consuming population with 18% HIV/AIDS prevalence. Therefore, stringent post-mortem inspection at the slaughter houses is of paramount importance to reduce human exposure.</p

Genetic profiling of Mycobacterium bovis strains from slaughtered cattle in Eritrea

<div><p><i>Mycobacterium bovis</i> (<i>M</i>.<i>bovis</i>) is the main causative agent for bovine tuberculosis (BTB) and can also be the cause of zoonotic tuberculosis in humans. In view of its zoonotic nature, slaughterhouse surveillance, potentially resulting in total or partial condemnation of the carcasses and organs, is conducted routinely. Spoligotyping, VNTR profiling, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) of <i>M</i>. <i>bovis</i> isolated from tissues with tuberculosis-like lesions collected from 14 cattle at Eritrea’s largest slaughterhouse in the capital Asmara, were conducted.The 14 <i>M</i>. <i>bovis</i> isolates were classified into three different spoligotype patterns (SB0120, SB0134 and SB0948) and six VNTR profiles. WGS results matched those of the conventional genotyping methods and further discriminated the six VNTR profiles into 14 strains. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis of the <i>M</i>. <i>bovis</i> isolates suggests two independent introductions of BTB into Eritrea possibly evolving from a common ancestral strain in Europe.This molecular study revealed the most important strains of <i>M</i>. <i>bovis</i> in Eritrea and their (dis)similarities with the strains generally present in East Africa and Europe, as well as potential routes of introduction of <i>M</i>. <i>bovis</i>. Though the sample size is small, the current study provides important information as well as platform for future in-depth molecular studies on isolates from both the dairy and the traditional livestock sectors in Eritrea and the region. This study provides information onthe origin of some of the <i>M</i>. <i>bovis</i> strains in Eritrea, its genetic diversity, evolution and patterns of spread between dairy herds. Such information is essential in the development and implementation of future BTB control strategy for Eritrea.</p></div

The sero-prevalence of brucellosis in cattle and their herders in Bahr el Ghazal region, South Sudan

<div><p>Background</p><p>Brucellosis is a worldwide recognized bacterial zoonotic disease. There is currently no information on bovine brucellosis sero-prevalence in South Sudan regardless of the economic, social and public health impact on populations. Therefore, for the first time in 33 years, we report the sero-prevalence of brucellosis in cattle and their herders. Furthermore, we characterize the drivers associated with the disease at the human-animal interface in Bahr el Ghazal region, South Sudan.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A total of 893 and 87 animal and human sera respectively were examined between December 2015 and May 2016. Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and Competitive Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (c-ELISA) were used in parallel to detect anti-<i>Brucella</i> antibodies. Questionnaires were administered to collect relevant metadata used for the association analysis in R version 3.2.3. Odds Ratio (OR) and Confidence Intervals (CI) were determined.</p><p>Results</p><p>Overall bovine brucellosis prevalence was 31% (95%CI = 28.0–34.2), with the highest 63% (95%CI = 53–70) and lowest 10% (95%CI = 4.5–20.1) prevalence estimates in Wau and Gogrial states respectively. The bovine sero-prevalence was approximately equally distributed among the male 30.4% (26.9–34.2) and the females 32.5% (26.8–38.7). Poor body condition (OR = 0.22; 95%CI = 0.07–0.54) and larger herd sizes (OR = 0.05; 95%CI = 0.008–0.173) were protective factors for brucellosis, while the opposite was true for the second (OR = 1.70; 95%CI = 1.08–2.67) and third (OR = 2.5; 95%CI = 1.46–4.47) lactation stage. The overall brucellosis sero-prevalence in herders was estimated at 33.3% (23.9–44.3).</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>We report a high prevalence of anti-<i>Brucella</i> antibodies in cattle and their herders in Bahr el Ghazal, indicating an enzootic status in the cattle population being an important source of infection for humans. This represents a genuine public health challenge. Therefore, there is need to raise awareness and build capacity and infrastructure in this fragile state to underwrite future public health strategies for brucellosis.</p></div