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Issae A, Chengula A, Kicheleri R, Kasanga C, Katakweba A. Knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices toward rodent-borne diseases in Ngorongoro district, Tanzania. J Public Health Afr 2023; 14:2385. [PMID: 37538935 PMCID: PMC10395369 DOI: 10.4081/jphia.2023.2385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to their economic significance, rodents are hosts and transmit diseases. Most of rodent-borne diseases are endemic in rural Africa and sporadically lead to epidemics. Ngorongoro district is inhabited by humans, livestock, and wild animals. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward rodent-borne diseases among communities. The study used 3 focus groups, 20 key informant interviews, and the questionnaire (N=352) to collect data. The study found that 8.52% of respondents had good knowledge, 35.5% had a positive attitude and 94.3% had good practices toward rodent-borne diseases. The study revealed that only 28.13% of participants were aware of rodent-borne zoonoses. The majority of them (77.27%) believe that rodents are pests that destroy crops and do not transmit pathogens. Moreover, the results showed that the majority of them (82.9%) live in dilapidated huts that serve as rodent breeding places. Additionally, except for education and religion, the level of knowledge had no significant relationship with most of the participants' demographic variables. When compared to individuals who didn't attend school, those with secondary education (OR=7.96, CI=1.4-45.31, P=0.017) had greater knowledge of rodent-borne diseases and management. Similarly, to how attitude and practice were found to be considerably (r=0.3216, P=0.000) positively correlated, general knowledge and general practice scores were found to be significantly (r=0.1608, P=0.002) positively correlated. Despite showing good practices, the communities still lack knowledge of rodent-borne zoonosis. Rodent-borne disease education should be considered in Ngorongoro and other places.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amina Issae
- African Centre of Excellence for Innovative Rodent Pest Management and Biosensor Technology Development, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3110, Morogoro, Tanzania.
| | - Augustino Chengula
- Department of Microbiology, Parasitology and Biotechnology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Rose Kicheleri
- Department of Wildlife Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro
| | - Christopher Kasanga
- Department of Microbiology, Parasitology and Biotechnology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Abdul Katakweba
- African Centre of Excellence for Innovative Rodent Pest Management and Biosensor Technology Development, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro
- Institute of Pest Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro
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Eiseb SJ, Taylor PJ, Zeller U, Denys C, Nicolas V. Rapid peripatric speciation linked with drainage evolution in a rare African rodent,
Mastomys shortridgei
(Rodentia: Muridae). J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Seth J. Eiseb
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Namibia Windhoek Namibia
- National Museum of Namibia Windhoek Namibia
| | - Peter J. Taylor
- SARChI Chair on Biodiversity Value & Change in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve & Core Team Member of Centre for Invasion Biology School of Mathematical & Natural Sciences University of Venda Thohoyandou South Africa
- Zoology & Entomology Department & Afromontane Research Unit University of the Free State Phuthaditjhaba South Africa
- National Geographic Okavango Wilderness ProjectWild Bird Trust Parktown South Africa
| | - Ulrich Zeller
- Lebenswissenschaftliche Fakultät Humboldt‐Universität zu Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Christiane Denys
- Institut de Systématique Evolution Biodiversité (ISYEB) Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle CNRSSorbonne UniversitéEPHEUniversité des Antilles Paris France
| | - Violaine Nicolas
- Institut de Systématique Evolution Biodiversité (ISYEB) Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle CNRSSorbonne UniversitéEPHEUniversité des Antilles Paris France
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Mlyashimbi EC, Mariën J, Kimaro DN, Tarimo AJ, Machang’u RS, Makundi RH, Isabirye M, Massawe AW, Leirs H, Mdangi ME, Belmain SR, Mulungu LS. Home ranges, sex ratio and recruitment of the multimammate rat ( Mastomys natalensis) in semi-arid areas in Tanzania. MAMMALIA 2020. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2019-0048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Investigation of home ranges, sex ratio and recruitment of the multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis) in semi-arid areas of Tanzania was conducted in maize and fallow fields using the capture-mark-release (CMR) technique. The aim of this study was to generate useful data for the management of M. natalensis. The relative home range size of M. natalensis was significantly higher during the wet [544 m2 ± 25 standard error (SE)] than during the dry (447 m2 ± 18 SE) season, in males (521 m2 ± 23 SE) than in females (450 m2 ± 17 SE) and in adults (576 m2 ± 34 SE) than in juveniles (459 m2 ± 16 SE). However, there were no significant differences between habitats. Sex ratio was not significantly different (p = 0.44) between habitats. Recruitment was significantly higher (p = 0.000) in maize fields (mean = 0.43) than in fallow land (mean = 0.32) and differed significantly over time (p < 0.0001) with the highest recruitment recorded from April to July and the lowest from October to December. Management strategies should focus on managing rodents inhabiting maize fields using methods that affect their recruitment in order to reduce the population increase of M. natalensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel C.M. Mlyashimbi
- Department of Crop Science and Horticulture , Sokoine University of Agriculture , P.O. Box 3005 , Morogoro , Tanzania
- Pest Management Centre , Sokoine University of Agriculture , P.O. Box 3110 , Morogoro , Tanzania
| | - Joachim Mariën
- Evolutionary Ecology Group , Universiteit Antwerpen , Universiteitsplein 1 , 2610 Antwerp , Belgium
| | - Didas N. Kimaro
- Department of Engineering Sciences and Technology , Sokoine University of Agriculture , P.O. Box 3003 , Morogoro , Tanzania
| | - Akwilin J.P. Tarimo
- Department of Crop Science and Horticulture , Sokoine University of Agriculture , P.O. Box 3005 , Morogoro , Tanzania
| | - Robert S. Machang’u
- Pest Management Centre , Sokoine University of Agriculture , P.O. Box 3110 , Morogoro , Tanzania
| | - Rhodes H. Makundi
- Pest Management Centre , Sokoine University of Agriculture , P.O. Box 3110 , Morogoro , Tanzania
| | - Moses Isabirye
- Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment , Busitema University , P.O. Box 236 , Tororo , Uganda
| | - Apia W. Massawe
- Pest Management Centre , Sokoine University of Agriculture , P.O. Box 3110 , Morogoro , Tanzania
| | - Herwig Leirs
- Evolutionary Ecology Group , Universiteit Antwerpen , Universiteitsplein 1 , 2610 Antwerp , Belgium
| | - Mashaka E. Mdangi
- Training, Extension Services and Research , Ministry of Agriculture , P.O. Box 2182 , Dodoma , Tanzania
| | - Steven R. Belmain
- Natural Resources Institute , University of Greenwich , Chatham Maritime, Kent , UK
| | - Loth S. Mulungu
- Pest Management Centre , Sokoine University of Agriculture , P.O. Box 3110 , Morogoro , Tanzania
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Borremans B, Reijniers J, Hens N, Leirs H. The shape of the contact-density function matters when modelling parasite transmission in fluctuating populations. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2017; 4:171308. [PMID: 29291115 PMCID: PMC5717690 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.171308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Models of disease transmission in a population with changing densities must assume a relation between infectious contacts and density. Typically, a choice is made between a constant (frequency-dependence) and a linear (density-dependence) contact-density function, but it is becoming increasingly clear that intermediate, nonlinear functions are more realistic. It is currently not clear, however, what the exact consequences would be of different contact-density functions in fluctuating populations. By combining field data on rodent host (Mastomys natalensis) demography, experimentally derived contact-density data, and laboratory and field data on Morogoro virus infection dynamics, we explored the effects of different contact-density function shapes on transmission dynamics and invasion/persistence. While invasion and persistence were clearly affected by the shape of the function, the effects on outbreak characteristics such as infection prevalence and seroprevalence were less obvious. This means that it may be difficult to distinguish between the different shapes based on how well models fit to real data. The shape of the transmission-density function should therefore be chosen with care, and is ideally based on existing information such as a previously quantified contact- or transmission-density relationship or the underlying biology of the host species in relation to the infectious agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benny Borremans
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics (I-BIOSTAT), Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Jonas Reijniers
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Engineering Management, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Niel Hens
- Centre for Health Economics Research & Modelling Infectious Diseases (CHERMID–VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics (I-BIOSTAT), Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Herwig Leirs
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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Archer CE, Appleton CC, Mukaratirwa S, Lamb J, Corrie Schoeman M. Endo-parasites of public-health importance recovered from rodents in the Durban metropolitan area, South Africa. S Afr J Infect Dis 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/23120053.2016.1262579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Colleen E Archer
- School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering & Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Christopher C Appleton
- School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering & Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Samson Mukaratirwa
- School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering & Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Jennifer Lamb
- School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering & Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - M Corrie Schoeman
- School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering & Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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6
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Gryseels S, Baird SJE, Borremans B, Makundi R, Leirs H, Goüy de Bellocq J. When Viruses Don't Go Viral: The Importance of Host Phylogeographic Structure in the Spatial Spread of Arenaviruses. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006073. [PMID: 28076397 PMCID: PMC5226678 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Many emerging infections are RNA virus spillovers from animal reservoirs. Reservoir identification is necessary for predicting the geographic extent of infection risk, but rarely are taxonomic levels below the animal species considered as reservoir, and only key circumstances in nature and methodology allow intrinsic virus-host associations to be distinguished from simple geographic (co-)isolation. We sampled and genetically characterized in detail a contact zone of two subtaxa of the rodent Mastomys natalensis in Tanzania. We find two distinct arenaviruses, Gairo and Morogoro virus, each spatially confined to a single M. natalensis subtaxon, only co-occurring at the contact zone’s centre. Inter-subtaxon hybridization at this centre and a continuum of quality habitat for M. natalensis show that both viruses have the ecological opportunity to spread into the other substaxon’s range, but do not, strongly suggesting host-intrinsic barriers. Such barriers could explain why human cases of another M. natalensis-borne arenavirus, Lassa virus, are limited to West Africa. Reservoirs of zoonotic viruses are usually equated with a particular wildlife species. It is rarely assessed whether genetic groups below the species level may instead represent the actual reservoir, though this would have major implications on estimations of the zoonosis’ spatial distribution. Here we investigate whether geographically and genetically distinct subtaxa of the widespread African rodent Mastomys natalensis carry distinct arenaviruses, by sampling in detail across a contact zone of two of these subtaxa. Ongoing hybridization shows that individuals of the subtaxa are in direct physical contact, in principle allowing viral exchange, yet neither of the two arenaviruses -Gairo and Morogoro virus- were found to have crossed the zone. Such intraspecific genetic barriers to arenavirus spatial spread have important implications for our understanding of the related Lassa arenavirus, a pathogen potentially lethal to humans of which Mastomys natalensis is also the main reservoir. Although Lassa virus appears to infect several secondary hosts, its distribution is restricted to West Africa and matches that of another M. natalensis subtaxon. Our data thus indicates that it is because of M. natalensis intraspecific distinctions that the human Lassa fever endemic area has not expanded to the rest of sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Gryseels
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| | - Stuart J. E. Baird
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Research Facility Studenec, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Benny Borremans
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Rhodes Makundi
- Pest Management Centre, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Herwig Leirs
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Joëlle Goüy de Bellocq
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Research Facility Studenec, Brno, Czech Republic
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Gryseels S, Goüy de Bellocq J, Makundi R, Vanmechelen K, Broeckhove J, Mazoch V, Šumbera R, Zima J, Leirs H, Baird SJE. Genetic distinction between contiguous urban and rural multimammate mice in Tanzania despite gene flow. J Evol Biol 2016; 29:1952-1967. [PMID: 27306876 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Special conditions are required for genetic differentiation to arise at a local geographical scale in the face of gene flow. The Natal multimammate mouse, Mastomys natalensis, is the most widely distributed and abundant rodent in sub-Saharan Africa. A notorious agricultural pest and a natural host for many zoonotic diseases, it can live in close proximity to humans and appears to compete with other rodents for the synanthropic niche. We surveyed its population genetic structure across a 180-km transect in central Tanzania along which the landscape varied between agricultural land in a rural setting and natural woody vegetation, rivers, roads and a city (Morogoro). We sampled M. natalensis across 10 localities and genotyped 15 microsatellite loci from 515 individuals. Hierarchical STRUCTURE analyses show a K-invariant pattern distinguishing Morogoro suburbs (located in the centre of the transect) from nine surrounding rural localities. Landscape connectivity analyses in Circuitscape and comparison of rainfall patterns suggest that neither geographical isolation nor natural breeding asynchrony could explain the genetic differentiation of the urban population. Using the isolation-with-migration model implemented in IMa2, we inferred that a split between suburban and rural populations would have occurred recently (<150 years ago) with higher urban effective population density consistent with an urban source to rural sink of effective migration. The observed genetic differentiation of urban multimammate mice is striking given the uninterrupted distribution of the animal throughout the landscape and the high estimates of effective migration (2Ne M = 3.0 and 29.7), suggesting a strong selection gradient across the urban boundary.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Gryseels
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - J Goüy de Bellocq
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Research Facility Studenec, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - R Makundi
- Pest Management Centre, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - K Vanmechelen
- Computational Modelling and Programming, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - J Broeckhove
- Computational Modelling and Programming, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - V Mazoch
- Department of Zoology, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - R Šumbera
- Department of Zoology, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - J Zima
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Research Facility Studenec, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Zoology, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - H Leirs
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - S J E Baird
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Research Facility Studenec, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Brno, Czech Republic
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Assenga JA, Matemba LE, Muller SK, Mhamphi GG, Kazwala RR. Predominant leptospiral serogroups circulating among humans, livestock and wildlife in Katavi-Rukwa ecosystem, Tanzania. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0003607. [PMID: 25806825 PMCID: PMC4373666 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2014] [Accepted: 02/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease and a serious, under-reported public health problem, particularly in rural areas of Tanzania. In the Katavi-Rukwa ecosystem, humans, livestock and wildlife live in close proximity, which exposes them to the risk of a number of zoonotic infectious diseases, including leptospirosis. Methodology/Principal Findings A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out in the Katavi region, South-west Tanzania, to determine the seroprevalence of Leptospira spp in humans, domestic ruminants and wildlife. Blood samples were collected from humans (n = 267), cattle (n = 1,103), goats (n = 248), buffaloes (n = 38), zebra (n = 2), lions (n = 2), rodents (n = 207) and shrews (n = 11). Decanted sera were tested using the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) for antibodies against six live serogroups belonging to the Leptospira spp, with a cutoff point of ≥ 1:160. The prevalence of leptospiral antibodies was 29.96% in humans, 30.37% in cattle, 8.47% in goats, 28.95% in buffaloes, 20.29% in rodents and 9.09% in shrews. Additionally, one of the two samples in lions was seropositive. A significant difference in the prevalence P<0.05 was observed between cattle and goats. No significant difference in prevalence was observed with respect to age and sex in humans or any of the sampled animal species. The most prevalent serogroups with antibodies of Leptospira spp were Sejroe, Hebdomadis, Grippotyphosa, Icterohaemorrhagie and Australis, which were detected in humans, cattle, goats and buffaloes; Sejroe and Grippotyphosa, which were detected in a lion; Australis, Icterohaemorrhagie and Grippotyphosa, which were detected in rodents; and Australis, which was detected in shrews. Antibodies to serogroup Ballum were detected only in humans. Conclusions The results of this study demonstrate that leptospiral antibodies are widely prevalent in humans, livestock and wildlife from the Katavi-Rukwa ecosystem. The disease poses a serious economic and public health threat in the study area. This epidemiological study provides information on circulating serogroups, which will be essential in designing intervention measures to reduce the risk of disease transmission. Leptospirosis is a disease of worldwide significance, and it is also an important zoonotic disease, particularly in developing countries. Subclinically infected rodents maintain leptospires in nature, and some that recover from the primary leptospiral infection may release the bacterium in their urine for the rest of their lives. These rodents serve as a potential source of leptospiral infection to animals and humans. Non-rodent mammals can also be reservoirs of leptospiral infection to animals and humans. Globally, animal and human leptospirosis has been attributed to rodents. There is limited knowledge on the occurrence of the disease in domestic animals, humans, wildlife and rodents in many parts of Tanzania, including the Katavi-Rukwa ecosystem. Serological examination of cattle, goats, humans, buffaloes, zebra, lions, rodents and shrews in the ecosystem revealed the presence of antibodies to serogroups Sejroe, Hebdomadis, Grippotyphosa, Icterohaemorrhagie, Australis and Ballum. These serogroups infect not only their usual hosts but also other animal species, which can in turn act as reservoirs of these serogroups to other animals and humans. This study demonstrates the distribution of leptospiral serogroups in domestic animals, humans, wildlife, rodents and shrews in the Katavi-Rukwa ecosystem. The results of the current study will help in developing appropriate interventions for preventing or mitigating the impacts of infections in domestic animals, humans, wildlife, rodents and shrews. Our results also suggest that human and animal populations are at risk of contracting the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine A. Assenga
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
- * E-mail:
| | - Lucas E. Matemba
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Shabani K. Muller
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Ginethon G. Mhamphi
- Pest Management Centre, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Rudovick R. Kazwala
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
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de Vries SG, Visser BJ, Nagel IM, Goris MGA, Hartskeerl RA, Grobusch MP. Leptospirosis in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review. Int J Infect Dis 2014; 28:47-64. [PMID: 25197035 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2014.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Revised: 06/13/2014] [Accepted: 06/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leptospirosis is an emerging zoonotic infection worldwide, possibly due to climate change and demographic shifts. It is regarded as endemic in Sub-Saharan Africa; however, for most countries scarce epidemiological data, if any, exist. The primary objectives were to describe the prevalence of leptospirosis in countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, and to develop options for prevention and control in the future. METHODS A systematic review was conducted to determine the prevalence of leptospirosis in Sub-Saharan Africa; the PRISMA guidelines were followed. Medline/PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, BIOSIS Previews, the African Index Medicus, AJOL, and Google Scholar were searched. RESULTS Information about the prevalence and incidence of leptospirosis in humans is available, but remains scarce for many countries. Data are unavailable or outdated for many countries, particularly those in Central Africa. Most data are available from animals, probably due to the economic losses caused by leptospirosis in livestock. In humans, leptospirosis is an important cause of febrile illness in Sub-Saharan Africa. It concerns numerous serogroups, harboured by many different animal carriers. DISCUSSION A wide variety of data was identified. Prevalence rates vary throughout the continent and more research, especially in humans, is needed to reliably gauge the extent of the problem. Preventive measures need to be reconsidered to control outbreaks in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia G de Vries
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1100 DE, room F4-220, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Benjamin J Visser
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1100 DE, room F4-220, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ingeborg M Nagel
- Medical Library, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marga G A Goris
- WHO/FAO/OIE and National Leptospirosis Reference Centre, KIT Biomedical Research, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rudy A Hartskeerl
- WHO/FAO/OIE and National Leptospirosis Reference Centre, KIT Biomedical Research, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Martin P Grobusch
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1100 DE, room F4-220, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
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