Seroprevalence of brucellosis, Q fever and Rift Valley fever in domestic ruminants in Guinea in 2017–2019

Abstract

Background Brucellosis, Q fever and Rift Valley fever are considered as Neglected Zoonotic Diseases (NZDs) leading to socioeconomic losses in livestock globally, and particularly in developing countries of Africa where they are under-reported. In this study, we evaluated the seroprevalence of these 3 zoonotic diseases in domestic ruminants in Guinea from 2017 to 2019. A total of 1357 sera, sampled from 463 cattle, 408 goats and 486 sheep, were collected in 17 Guinean prefectures and analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Cattle was the species with highest seroprevalence (5 to 20-fold higher than in small ruminants) for the three diseases. The seroprevalence of brucellosis, mostly focused in Western Guinea, was 11.0% (51 of 463) in cattle, 0.4% (2 in 486) in sheep while no specific antibodies were found in goats. Q fever, widespread across the country, was the most frequently detected zoonosis with a mean seroprevalence of 20.5% (95 in 463), 4.4% (18 in 408) and 2.3% (11 in 486) in cattle, goats and sheep, respectively. The mean seroprevalence of RVF was 16.4% (76 in 463) in cattle, 1.0% (4 in 408) in goats and 1.0% (5 in 486) in sheep. Among the samples 19.3% were seropositive for at least one of the three NZDs, 2.5% showed specific antibodies against at least two pathogens and 4 cattle (0.8%) were seropositive for all three pathogens. In cattle, adults over 3-years old and females presented a higher antibody seroprevalence for the three diseases, in congruence with putative exposure risk. Conclusions This study confirms the circulation of these three zoonotic pathogens in Guinea and highlights the need for implementing a syndromic surveillance of ruminant abortions by the Guinean veterinary authorities as well as for the screening of the human population at risk (veterinarians, breeders, slaughterers) in a One Health perspective.

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

“…burnetii , despite their single occurrence in the same wildlife populations. Nevertheless, this coinfection was reported in domestic animals in Guinea [ 32 ] and therefore, we cannot entirely rule out the possibility of co-exposure to the two pathogens in wild species. Further, our ongoing unpublished studies have also identified Brucella and C .…”

“…Our study found no evidence of co-exposure to Brucella and C. burnetii, despite their single occurrence in the same wildlife populations. Nevertheless, this coinfection was reported in domestic animals in Guinea [32] and therefore, we cannot entirely rule out the possibility of co-exposure to the two pathogens in wild species. Further, our ongoing unpublished studies have also identified Brucella and C. burnetii co-exposure in livestock belonging to the Bovidae family, to which some wildlife species investigated here belong.…”

Contemporary epidemiological data of Rift Valley fever virus in humans, mosquitoes and other animal species in Africa: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Of the 388 eligible articles, 183 were excluded for multiple reasons described in Figure 1. Finally, a total of 205 articles (629 data on prevalence and/or CFR) met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review (Abakar et al, 2014;Abdallah et al, 2016;Adamu, 2020;Adamu et al, 2021;Adesiyun et al, 2020;Ahmed et al, 2018Ahmed et al, , 2020Alhaji, 2020;Andayi et al, 2014;Andriamandimby et al, 2010;Andriamandimby et al, 2018;Aradaib et al, 2013;Archer et al, 2011Archer et al, , 2013Atuman et al, 2022;Ayari-Fakhfakh et al, 2011;Ba et al, 2012;Baudin et al, 2016;Beechler et al, 2015;van den Bergh et al, 2022;Spiropoulou & Nyakarahuka, 2018;Sternberg Lewerin, 2018;Stoek et al, 2022;Sumaye et al, 2013Sumaye et al, , 2015Swai & Schoonman, 2009;Swai & Sindato, 2015;Tigoi, 2020;Tigoi et al, 2015;Traoré-Lamizana et al, 2001;Troupin et al, 2022;Tshilenge et al, 2019;Umuhoza et al, 2017;Ushijima et al, 2021;van den Bergh et al, 2020;Wensman et al, 2015;Wolff et al, 2018;Woods et al, 2002;Youssef, 2001Youssef, , 2009…”

Indiscriminate slaughter of pregnant goats for meat in Enugu, Nigeria: Causes, prevalence, implications and ways-out

“…Brucella (particularly Brucella melitensis), Toxoplasma and Leptospira species are zoonotic pathogens transmissible during processing of infected goat carcasses [14][15][16][17][18]50]. Apart from these pathogens, Q-fever, Orf and Rift valley fever viruses can spread from infected goats to humans during handling/slaughter [51][52][53]. In Nigeria, the chances of contamination of the processed meat and or infection of slaughterhouse workers with these zoonotic pathogens are high; considering the unsanitary conditions of the slaughter facilities and non-use of personal protective equipment by the workers during abattoir operations [50].…”