Browsing by Author "Tayebwa Dickson Stuart"

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    Molecular epidemiology of anaplasmosis in small ruminants along a human-livestock-wildlife interface in Uganda
    (Elsevier, 2020-12-04) Kasozi Keneth Iceland; Welburn Susan Christina; El-Saber Batiha Gaber; Marraiki Najat; Nalumenya David Paul; Namayanja Monica; Matama Kevin; Zalwango Kelly Katenta; Matovu Wycliff; Zirintunda Gerald; Ekou Justine; Kembabazi Stellamaris; Mugasa Claire Mack; Kitibwa Annah; Tayebwa Dickson Stuart; Musinguzi Simon Peter; Mahero Michael; Ssengendo Ibrahim; Nanteza Anne; Matovu Enock; MacLeod Ewan Thomas
    Information as regards the epidemiology of the Anaplasmataceae in small ruminants in several lowand middle-income countries is scarce. In this study a total of 712 DNA samples collected from small ruminants were analyzed for Anaplasmataceae and Anaplasma ovis using the 16S rRNA and MSP4 genes respectively. Infection risk was assessed by location, sex and age of the animals and qGIS® was used to construct spatial maps. The prevalence of Anaplasmataceae spp was 89.1% (95% CI: 77.5–95.9) and 79.1% (95% CI: 75.9–82.1) in ovines and caprines respectively (RR ¼ 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0–1.3); higher than those previously reported in other eastern African countries. The prevalence of A. ovis was 26.1% and 25.4% for both ovines and caprines respectively with ovines showing significantly higher levels of infection than caprines (P < 0.05). The risk of Anaplasma ovis infections was not affected by age (OR ¼ 1.2, 95% CI: 0.9–1.7) or sex (OR ¼ 1.1, 95% CI: 0.6–2.0). Small ruminants located at the forest edge (<0.3 km) showed higher A. ovis prevalence than those found inland with infections present in the midland regions associated with increased agricultural activity. Anaplasma ovis remains a major challenge for small ruminant husbandry in Uganda and infections are under-reported. Policy efforts to prioritize management of Anaplasmataceae for small ruminant health would promote livestock productivity in vulnerable communities, improving livelihoods and ecosystem health.
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    Molecular epidemiology of Babesia species, Theileria parva, and Anaplasma marginale infecting cattle and the tick control malpractices in Central and Eastern Uganda
    (2018) Musinguzi Simon Peter; Tayebwa Dickson Stuart; Vudriko Patrick; Tuvshintulga Bumduuren; Guswanto Azirwan; Nugraha Arifin Budiman; Gantuya Sambuu; SaberBatiha Gaber El-; Komugisha Mariam; SonBbira Jonh; Okwee-Acai James; Tweyongyere Robert; Wampande Eddie M.; Byaruhanga Joseph; Moumouni Paul Franck Adjou; Sivakumar Thillaiampalam; Yokoyama Naoaki; Igarashi Ikuo
    East Coast fever, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis are the major tick-borne diseases affecting cattle productivity in Uganda. The emergence of acaricide-resistant ticks is suspected to have caused a rise in hemoparasites. This study sought to detect and characterize hemoparasites among farms in acaricide-failure hotspots of central as compared to the acaricide-failure naïve areas in Eastern Uganda. Nested PCR assays were performed to determine the prevalences of Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, Theileria parva, and Anaplasma marginale in cattle blood samples sourced from randomly selected farms. Randomly selected isolates were sequenced to determine the genetic diversity of the parasites using the following marker genes: B. bovis spherical body protein 4, B. bigemina rhoptry-associated protein 1a, T. parva 104 kDa microneme-rhoptry antigen, and A. marginale major surface protein 5. Furthermore, partially and fully engorged adult ticks were collected for taxonomy, and tick-control practices were assessed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The prevalence of B. bigemina, T. parva, and A. marginale in cattle were 17.2, 65.1, and 22.0%, and 10.0, 26.5, and 3% in the central and eastern region, respectively. Whilst, B. bovis was not detected in the farms involved. The sequences for B. bigemina, T. parva, and A. marginale from the central region showed 99% identity with those from the eastern region. Of the 548 ticks collected, 319, 147, 76, and 6 were Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Amblyomma variegatum, and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, respectively. The Rhipicephalus ticks were more abundant in the central region, whereas A. variegatum ticks were more abundant in the eastern region. Tick control malpractices were found in both Central and Eastern Uganda, and 42 of the 56 surveyed farms lacked appropriate restraining facilities and so they utilized either ropes or a ‘boma’ (enclosure). In summary, B. bigemina, T. parva, A. marginale and their co-infections were more prevalent in the central than eastern region; even though, tick control malpractices were observed in both regions. Therefore, an urgent tick and TBD control strategy is needed.