Abstract
A cross-sectional serological survey of A. marginale was conducted on 200 randomly selected smallholder farms in each of the Tanga and Iringa Regions of Tanzania between January and April 1999. Sera, from dairy cattle of all ages, sexes and breeds were tested for antibodies against A. marginale using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Antibodies to A. marginale were present in cattle throughout the study areas and the overall prevalence was 20% for Tanga and 37% for Iringa. The forces of infection based on the age seroprevalence profile were estimated at 8 for Tanga and 15 for Iringa per 100 cattle years-risk, respectively. In both regions, seroprevalence increased with age (β = 0.01 and 0.017 per year of age, p < 0.005, in Tanga and Iringa, respectively). Older animals in Iringa were significantly and negatively associated with decreased seropositivity (β = −0.002, p = 0.0029). Further results of logistic regression models reveal that geographic location of animals in Tanga was associated with seropositivity (odds ratio (OR) = 2.94, p = 0.005, for Tanga Rural and OR = 2.38, p = 0.066, for Muheza). Animals acquired as a gift in Iringa had higher odds for seropositivity than brought-in cattle (OR = 2.44, p = 0.005). Our study has identified and quantified some key risk factors that can guide planners devising disease control strategies.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- AEZ:
-
agro-ecological zone
- CI:
-
confidence interval
- ELISA:
-
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
- OR:
-
odds ratio
- PP:
-
percent positivity
References
Cossio-Bayugar, R., Rodriquez, S.D., Garcia-Ortiz, M.A., Garcia-Tapia, D. and Aboytes-Torres, R., 1997. Bovine anaplasmosis prevalence in northern Vera Cruz state, Mexico Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 32, 165–170
French, N.P. and Tyrer, J., 1997. Birth and death of cattle on small scale dairy farms in Zimbabwe. Society of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine. Chester, UK. Poster presentation
Gitau, G.K., McDermott, J.J., Waltner-Toews, D., Lissemore, K.D., Osumo, J.M. and Muriuki, D., 1994. Factors influencing calf morbidity and mortality in smallholder dairy farms in Kiambu District, Kenya. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 21, 167–177
Gitau, G.K., Perry, B.D. and McDermott, J.J., 1999. The incidence, calf morbidity and mortality due to Theileria parva infections in smallholder dairy farms in Murang'a District, Kenya. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 39, 65–79
Hugh-Jones, M.E., Scotland, K., Applewhaite, L.M. and Alexander, F.M., 1988. Seroprevalence of anaplasmosis in livestock on St. Lucia, 1983.Tropical Animal Health and Production, 20, 137–139
James, M.A., Coronado, A., Lopez, W., Melendez, R. and Ristic, M., 1985. Seroepidemiology of bovine anaplasmosis and babesiosis in Venezuela. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 17, 9–18
James, H., 1979. Entomology in Human and Animal Health, (Washington State University, Pullman)
Katende, J.M., Goddeeris, B.M., Nkonge, C.G., Morzaria, S.P and Musoke, A.J., 1990. Identification of a Theileria antigen for use in an antibody and antigen detection ELISA. Parasite Immunology, 12, 419–433
Katende, J.M., Toye, P., Skilton, R.A., Nene, V., Morzaria, S.P and Musoke, A.J., 1998. An ELISA for detection of T. parva antibodies using recombinant immunodominant molecule. Parasitology Research, 84, 408–416
Kristula, M.A., Curtis, C.R, Galligan, D.T. and Bartholomew, R.W., 1992. Use of repeated measures logistic regression model to predict chronic mastitis in dairy cows. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 14, 57–68
Maloo, S.H., Rowlands, G.J., Thorpe, W., Gettinby, G. and Perry, B.D., 2001. A longitudinal study of disease incidence and case-fatality risks on small-holder dairy farms in coastal Kenya. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 52, 17–29
NCDC (National Coconut Development Council), 1981. TIRDEP—Tanga water master plan, (GTZ, Germany)
Patarroyo, J.H., Villa, O. and Diazgranados, H., 1978. Epidemiology of cattle anaplasmosis in Colombia: 1. Prevalence distribution of agglutinating antibodies. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 10, 171–174
Payne, R.C. and Scott, J.M. 1982. Anaplasmosis and babesiosis in El Salvador. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 14, 75–80
Perez, N., Marco, V.H., Jimenez, C., Carpenter, T.E. and Buening, G.B., 1994. Epidemiology of bovine anaplasmosis and babesiosis in Costa Rica. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 20, 23–31
Richey, E.J., 1981. Bovine anaplasmosis. In: R. S. Howand (ed.), Current Veterinary Therapy Food Animal Practice, (W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia), 767–772
Swai, E.S., 2002. Epidemiological studies of tick borne diseases in small scale dairy farming system in Tanzania, (PhD thesis, University of Reading, UK)
TDDP (Tanga Dairy Development Programme)., 1999. Annual Progress Report, (TDDP, Tanga, Tanzania)
Thrusfield, M., 2000. Veterinary Epidemiology, (Blackwell Science, London)
Trueman, K.F. and Blight, G.W., 1978. The effects of age on the resistance of cattle to Babesia bovis. Australian Veterinary Journal, 54, 301–305
Wiesehutter, E., 1975. Research into the relative importance of Tabanidae (Diptera) in mechanical disease transmission III. The epidemiology of anaplasmosis in a Dar-es-Salaam dairy farm. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 7, 15–22
Wright, P.F., Nilsson, F., Van Rooij, E.M.A., Lelenta, M and Jeggo, M.H., 1993. Standardisation and validation of enzyme linkage immunosorbent assay technique for detection of antibody in infectious disease diagnosis. Revue Scientifiquet Technique de li Office International des Epizooties, 12, 435–450
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Swai, E.S., Karimuribo, E.D., Ogden, N.H. et al. Seroprevalence Estimation and Risk Factors for A. marginale on Smallholder Dairy Farms in Tanzania. Trop Anim Health Prod 37, 599–610 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-005-4307-y
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-005-4307-y