Title: Evidence of co-exposure with Brucella spp, Coxiella burnetii, and Rift Valley fever virus among various species of wildlife in Kenya

Abstract

Co-infection, especially with pathogens of dissimilar genetic makeup, may result in a more devastating impact on the host. Investigations on co-infection with neglected zoonotic pathogens in wildlife are necessary to inform appropriate prevention and control strategies to reduce disease burden in wildlife and the potential transmission of these pathogens between wildlife, livestock and humans. This study assessed co-exposure of various Kenyan wildflife species with Brucella spp, Coxiella burnetii and Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV). A total of 363 sera from 16 different wildlife species, most of them (92.6%) herbivores, were analysed by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for IgG antibodies against Brucella spp, C. burnetii and RVFV. Further, 280 of these were tested by PCR to identify Brucella species. Of the 16 wildlife species tested, 15 (93.8%) were seropositive for at least one of the pathogens. Mean seropositivities were 18.9% (95% CI: 15.0–23.3) for RVFV, 13.7% (95% CI: 10.3–17.7) for Brucella spp and 9.1% (95% CI: 6.3–12.5) for C. burnetii. Buffaloes (n = 269) had higher seropositivity for Brucella spp. (17.1%, 95% CI: 13.0–21.7%) and RVFV (23.4%, 95% CI: 18.6–28.6%), while giraffes (n = 36) had the highest seropositivity for C. burnetii (44.4%, 95% CI: 27.9–61.9%). Importantly, 23 of the 93more » (24.7%) animals positive for at least one pathogen were co-exposed, with 25.4% (18/71) of the positive buffaloes positive for brucellosis and RVFV. On molecular analysis, Brucella DNA was detected in 46 (19.5%, CI: 14.9–24.7) samples, with 4 (8.6%, 95% CI: 2.2–15.8) being identified as B. melitensis. The Fisher’s Exact test indicated that seropositivity varied significantly within the different animal families, with Brucella (p = 0.013), C. burnetii (p = <0.001) and RVFV (p = 0.007). Location was also significantly associated (p = <0.001) with Brucella spp. and C. burnetii seropositivities. Of ~20% of Kenyan wildlife that are seropositive for Brucella spp, C. burnetii and RVFV, almost 25% indicate co-infections with the three pathogens, particularly with Brucella spp and RVFV.« less

Authors:

Gakuya, Francis ^[1]; Akoko, James  ^[2];

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• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0001-5730-4505"

Wambua, Lillian ^[3]; Nyamota, Richard ^[3]; Ronoh, Bernard ^[4]; Lekolool, Isaac ^[4]; Mwatondo, Athman ^[5]; Muturi, Mathew ^[6]; Ouma, Collins ^[7]; Nthiwa, Daniel ^[8]; Middlebrook, Earl Austin  ^[9];

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• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0003-0508-455X"

Fair, Jeanne Marie  ^[9];

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• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-3377-6134"

Gachohi, John ^[10]; Njenga, Kariuki ^[11]; Bett, Bernard ^[3]

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Wildlife Research and Training Institute (Kenya)
2. International Livestock Research Institute (Kenya); Maseno University (Kenya)
3. International Livestock Research Institute (Kenya)
4. Kenya Wildlife Service (Kenya)
5. International Livestock Research Institute (Kenya); Zoonotic Disease Unit (Kenya); University of Nairobi (Kenya)
6. International Livestock Research Institute (Kenya); Zoonotic Disease Unit (Kenya); Freie Univ., Berlin (Germany)
7. Maseno University (Kenya)
8. University of Embu (Kenya)
9. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
10. Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA (United States). Global Health-Kenya; Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Kenya)
11. Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA (United States). Global Health-Kenya

Publication Date:

Mon Aug 08 00:00:00 EDT 2022

Research Org.:

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE; Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)

OSTI Identifier:

2318940

Report Number(s):

LA-UR-21-31871
Journal ID: ISSN 1935-2735

Grant/Contract Number:  

89233218CNA000001

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases (Online)

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Name: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases (Online); Journal Volume: 16; Journal Issue: 8; Journal ID: ISSN 1935-2735

Publisher:

Public Library of Science

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES; wildlife; Brucella; animal pathogens; Coxiella burnetii; zoonotic pathogens; Rift Valley fever virus; zoonoses