Role of climate and other factors in determining the dynamics of tick and tick-transmitted pathogen populations and distribution in western, central and eastern Africa.

Githaka, Naftaly; Kanduma, Esther; Bishop, Richard P.

doi:10.1079/9781789249637.0070

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…Although this study reports high prevalence of B. bovis in three sub-counties in Kwale, the situation in the rest of the country is unknown. The emergence of B. bovis infections in Kenya threatens the already fragile livestock sector, plagued by other tick-borne diseases such as East Coast fever, and the introduction of susceptible taurine cattle breeds [ 45 ]. Therefore, the demonstration of a high prevalence of B. bovis revealed its establishment and local transmission.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular survey of Babesia parasites in Kenya: first detailed report on occurrence of Babesia bovis in cattle

et al. 2022

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Background Among protozoan parasites in the genus Babesia, Babesia bigemina is endemic and widespread in the East African region while the status of the more pathogenic Babesia bovis remains unclear despite the presence of the tick vector, Rhipicephalus microplus, which transmits both species. Recent studies have confirmed the occurrence of R. microplus in coastal Kenya, and although B. bovis DNA has previously been detected in cattle blood in Kenya, no surveillance has been done to establish its prevalence. This study therefore investigated the occurrence of B. bovis in cattle in Kwale County, Kenya, where R. microplus is present in large numbers. Methods A species-specific multiplex TaqMan real-time PCR assay targeting two Babesia bovis genes, 18S ribosomal RNA and mitochondrially-encoded cytochrome b and B. bigemina cytochrome b gene was used to screen 506 cattle blood DNA samples collected from Kwale County for presence of Babesia parasite DNA. A sub-set of 29 B. bovis real-time PCR-positive samples were further amplified using a B. bovis-specific spherical body protein-4 (SBP-4) nested PCR and the resulting products sequenced to confirm the presence of B. bovis. Results A total of 131 animals (25.8%) were found to have bovine babesiosis based on real-time PCR. Twenty-four SBP4 nucleotide sequences obtained matched to B. bovis with a similarity of 97–100%. Of 131 infected animals, 87 (17.2%) were positive for B. bovis while 70 (13.8%) had B. bigemina and 26 (5.1%) were observed to be co-infected with both Babesia species. A total of 61 animals (12.1%) were found to be infected with B. bovis parasites only, while 44 animals (8.7%) had B. bigemina only. Babesia bovis and B. bigemina infections were detected in the three Kwale sub-counties. Conclusion These findings reveal high prevalence of pathogenic B. bovis in a Kenyan area cutting across a busy transboundary livestock trade route with neighbouring Tanzania. The Babesia multiplex real-time PCR assay used in this study is specific and can detect and differentiate the two Babesia species and should be used for routine B. bovis surveillance to monitor the spread and establishment of the pathogen in other African countries where B. bigemina is endemic. Moreover, these findings highlight the threat of fatal babesiosis caused by B. bovis, whose endemic status is yet to be established. Graphical Abtract

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular survey of Babesia parasites in Kenya: first detailed report on occurrence of Babesia bovis in cattle

et al. 2022

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“…This was necessary to instigate monitoring and control measures because the economic burden of ticks and tick-borne diseases in Africa [2] and also globally is high [1]. Climate change has contributed to expanded range of tick vectors increasing the risk of tick-borne diseases in Africa [25]. Bovine babesiosis is one of the four major livestock diseases that is prevalent in Kenya [21,[26][27][28][29][30].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantitative Real Time PCR (qPCR) Screening Confirms Babesia Bovis Infections in Cattle in Kenya

Githaka

Bishop

Šlapeta

et al. 2021

Preprint

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BackgroundAmong protozoan parasites in the genus Babesia, Babesia bigemina is endemic and widespread in the East African region while the status of the more pathogenic Babesia bovis remains unclear despite the presence of the tick vector, Rhipicephalus microplus which transmits both species. Recent studies have confirmed the occurrence of R. microplus in coastal Kenya and although B. bovis DNA has previously been detected in cattle blood in Kenya, no surveillance has been done to establish its prevalence. This study therefore investigated the occurrence of B. bovis in cattle in Kwale County, Kenya, where R. microplus is present in large numbers. MethodA quantitative species-specific multiplex Taqman PCR assay targeting two Babesia bovis genes, 18S ribosomal RNA and mitochondrially-encoded cytochrome b and Babesia bigemina cytochrome b gene was used to screen 506 cattle blood DNA samples collected from Kwale County for presence of Babesia parasite DNA. ResultsA total of 131 animals (25.8%) were found to have bovine babesiosis. Of these, 87 (17.2%) were positive for B. bovis while 70 (13.8%) had B. bigemina while 26 (5.1%) were observed to be co-infected with both Babesia species. A total of 61 animals (12.1%) were found to be infected with B. bovis parasites only, while 44 animals (8.7%) had B. bigemina only. B. bovis infections were detected in 11 sites while B. bigemina was detected in 9 out of the 12 sites sampled in three Kwale sub-Counties.ConclusionThese findings reveal high prevalence of pathogenic B. bovis in a Kenyan area cutting across a busy transboundary livestock trade route with neighboring Tanzania. The Babesia multiplex assay used in this study is specific and can detect and differentiate the two Babesia species and should be used for routine B. bovis surveillance to monitor the spread and establishment of the pathogen in other African countries where B. bigemina is endemic. Moreover, these findings reveal a potential threat of fatal babesiosis in the absence of endemic stability in the local cattle populations.

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“…The recent climatic changes such as the extent and distribution of rainfall, in addition to anthropogenic factors such as agricultural intensification, deforestation, nomadic pastoralism and transboundary animal trade observed in recent years may further lead to a shift in the epidemiology of TBD in Kenya (Githaka et al, 2021). It is, therefore, imperative to regularly update existing epidemiological information on TBD in cattle.…”

Section: Chaptermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In recent decades, the geographic range of ticks has been expanded in SSA, primarily due to climate change, habitat modification, transboundary animal trade and the increased movement of animals (Githaka et al, 2021;Madder et al, 2011). These changes may potentially lead to a shift in the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases (TBDs) as tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) may spread to new areas where they were previously inexistent and thus represent a potential threat to animal health (Ouedraogo et al, 2021a;Ouedraogo et al, 2021ba).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unraveling the epidemiology of tick-borne infections in cattle and the potential impact of a novel biopesticide in coastal Kenya

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Role of climate and other factors in determining the dynamics of tick and tick-transmitted pathogen populations and distribution in western, central and eastern Africa.

Cited by 3 publications

References 13 publications

Molecular survey of Babesia parasites in Kenya: first detailed report on occurrence of Babesia bovis in cattle

Molecular survey of Babesia parasites in Kenya: first detailed report on occurrence of Babesia bovis in cattle

Quantitative Real Time PCR (qPCR) Screening Confirms Babesia Bovis Infections in Cattle in Kenya

Unraveling the epidemiology of tick-borne infections in cattle and the potential impact of a novel biopesticide in coastal Kenya

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