Publications by authors named "Elizabeth Anne Jessie Cook"

Article Synopsis
  • * The study sampled 2048 dairy cattle across 1371 farms and found a molecular prevalence of 3.5%, with the highest rates in the Njombe region and one specific bacteria being the most common.
  • * Recommendations include further research on the disease's sources, better education for livestock keepers, and potential vaccination programs to control brucellosis in high-risk areas.
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Article Synopsis
  • Leptospirosis is a serious disease in Kenya that affects people, animals, and the environment, but there isn't enough information about it yet.
  • Researchers looked at many studies from 1951 to 2022 to learn more about how it spreads in different areas and among animals.
  • They found that many animals have this disease, especially in rural areas, but not much is known about it, and farmers and doctors need more information to help prevent it.
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Introduction: Brucellosis is a febrile zoonosis occurring among high-risk groups such as livestock keepers and abattoir workers and is a public health priority in Uganda. The technical complexities of bacteriological and molecular methods make serological approaches the cornerstone of diagnosis of human brucellosis in resource limited settings. Therefore, proper application and interpretation of serological tests is central to achieve a correct diagnosis.

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Introduction: Leptospira are a group of bacteria, including pathogenic types that cause leptospirosis. In Uganda, Leptospira exposure has been reported in humans, with domesticated animals being speculated as the source. However, comparable evidence of Leptospira prevalence and circulating serovars/serogroups in animals is only documented for cattle, and dogs.

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Introduction: Brucellosis is endemic in Uganda and is a major cause of production losses in livestock. Early detection and quantification of the disease is vital for its control and eradication. The aim of this study was to assess the sero-prevalence and factors associated with anti- antibodies in slaughtered livestock.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study investigated the presence of antibodies against
  • Histoplasma capsulatum
  • in the general population of Busia County, Kenya, finding a
  • seroprevalence of 15.5%
  • among 670 participants.
  • - Results indicated that individuals with household rats and younger age groups (15-24 years) were at significantly
  • higher risk
  • for seropositivity, highlighting potential environmental and demographic risk factors for exposure.
  • - The findings establish a
  • baseline for future research
  • on Histoplasma exposure in the area and emphasize the need for further investigation into the complex interplay of factors influencing the disease's epidemiology.
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Background: Smallholder dairy farming is crucial for the Tanzanian dairy sector which generates income and employment for thousands of families. This is more evident in the northern and southern highland zones where dairy cattle and milk production are core economic activities. Here we estimated the seroprevalence of Leptospira serovar Hardjo and quantified potential risk factors associated with its exposure in smallholder dairy cattle in Tanzania.

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Bovine brucellosis is a bacterial zoonoses caused by . We conducted a cross-sectional study to determine brucellosis seroprevalence and risk factors among smallholder dairy cattle across six regions in Tanzania. We sampled 2048 dairy cattle on 1374 farms between July 2019 and October 2020.

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Q fever is a zoonotic disease, resulting from infection with . Infection in cattle can cause abortion and infertility, however, there is little epidemiological information regarding the disease in dairy cattle in Tanzania. Between July 2019 and October 2020, a serosurvey was conducted in six high dairy producing regions of Tanzania.

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Background: Tanzania is among the tropical countries of Sub-Saharan Africa with the environmental conditions favorable for transmission of Leptospira. Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonotic disease, and although there are several published reports from Tanzania, the epidemiology, genetic diversity of Leptospira and its host range are poorly understood.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive review of human and animal leptospirosis within the 26 regions of the Tanzanian mainland.

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Article Synopsis
  • Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that can infect humans through various means, causing concern for high-risk groups like slaughterhouse workers, prompting this study in Kenya to assess their exposure levels.
  • A survey across 142 slaughter facilities revealed a high seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies, with 84% showing IgG and only 2.2% showing IgM antibodies, indicating most had previous exposure rather than current infection.
  • Key risk factors linked to seropositivity included older age, owning poultry, and consuming animal blood, aligning with findings from other regions but highlighting a significant public health concern in this workforce.
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  • Q fever is a disease associated with slaughterhouse workers, and a study in western Kenya aimed to determine the seroprevalence of this disease among them.
  • The research found a 37.1% seroprevalence of antibodies to Q fever, highlighting a significant occupational risk particularly for male workers and those involved in specific tasks like cleaning and handling viscera.
  • The findings suggest that slaughterhouse workers are at higher risk compared to the general population, emphasizing the need for education and preventive measures to manage transmission in this occupational group.
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Background: Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonosis of public health importance transmitted through contact with contaminated soil, water or urine of infected animals. In pigs the disease is characterized by abortion, still births and weak piglets. A cross-sectional study was conducted in May to July 2018 to estimate the sero-prevalence of leptospirosis and factors associated with seropositivity in slaughter pigs.

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Background: Wildebeest associated malignant catarrhal fever (WA-MCF) is a fatal disease of cattle. Outbreaks are seasonal and associated with close interaction between cattle and calving wildebeest. In Kenya, WA-MCF has a dramatic effect on cattle-keepers who lose up to 10% of their cattle herds per year.

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Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a zoonotic arbovirus affecting livestock and people. This study was conducted in western Kenya where RVFV outbreaks have not previously been reported. The aims were to document the seroprevalence and risk factors for RVFV antibodies in a community-based sample from western Kenya and compare this with slaughterhouse workers in the same region who are considered a high-risk group for RVFV exposure.

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Background: Inadequate facilities and hygiene at slaughterhouses can result in contamination of meat and occupational hazards to workers. The objectives of this study were to assess current conditions in slaughterhouses in western Kenya and the knowledge, and practices of the slaughterhouse workers toward hygiene and sanitation.

Methods: Between February and October 2012 all consenting slaughterhouses in the study area were recruited.

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Objectives: Leptospirosis has been documented in slaughterhouse workers around the world. Risk factors include smoking and drinking at work, and performing tasks such as cleaning offal. This paper examined risk factors for leptospirosis seropositivity in slaughterhouse workers in western Kenya.

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