Browsing by Author "Srinivasan, Sreenidhi"

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    Identification of Bacillus anthracis, Brucella spp., and Coxiella burnetii DNA signatures from bushmeat
    (Springer Nature Limited, 2021-07-21) Katani, Robab; Schilling, Megan; Lyimo, Beatus; Eblate, Ernest; Martin, Andimile; Tonui, Triza; Cattadori, Isabella; Francesconi, Stephen; Estes, Anna; Rentsch, Dennis; Srinivasan, Sreenidhi; Lyimo, Samson; Munuo, Lidia; Tiambo, Christian; Stomeo, Francesca; Gwakisa, Paul; Mosha, Fausta; Hudson, Peter; Buza, Joram; Kapur, Vivek
    Meat from wildlife species (bushmeat) represents a major source of dietary protein in low- and middle-income countries where humans and wildlife live in close proximity. Despite the occurrence of zoonotic pathogens in wildlife, their prevalence in bushmeat remains unknown. To assess the risk of exposure to major pathogens in bushmeat, a total of 3784 samples, both fresh and processed, were collected from three major regions in Tanzania during both rainy and dry seasons, and were screened by real-time PCR for the presence of DNA signatures of Bacillus anthracis (B. anthracis), Brucella spp. (Brucella) and Coxiella burnetii (Coxiella). The analysis identified DNA signatures of B. anthracis (0.48%), Brucella (0.9%), and Coxiella (0.66%) in a total of 77 samples. Highest prevalence rates of B. anthracis, Brucella, and Coxiella were observed in wildebeest (56%), dik-dik (50%), and impala (24%), respectively. Fresh samples, those collected during the rainy season, and samples from Selous or Serengeti had a greater relative risk of being positive. Microbiome characterization identified Firmicutes and Proteobacteria as the most abundant phyla. The results highlight and define potential risks of exposure to endemic wildlife diseases from bushmeat and the need for future investigations to address the public health and emerging infectious disease risks associated with bushmeat harvesting, trade, and consumption.
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    Perception and Risk Factors Associated with Tuberculosis in the Manyara Region, Tanzania2
    (MDPI, 2023-10-06) Masanga, Prudence; Paul, Sarapia; Mbelele, Peter; Daud, Peter; Liyoyo, Alphonce; Munuo, Lidia; Lyimo, Samson; Lyimo, Beatus; Srinivasan, Sreenidhi; Cattadori, Isabella; Katani, Robab; Kapur, Vivek; Mpagama, Stella; Buza, Joram
    Tuberculosis (TB) results from infection with members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and represents a major global public health concern. We here sought to assess the perceptions of human and animal TB and the prevalence of circulating MTBCs lineages and associated risk factors through a cross-sectional survey of 335 individuals presenting with symptoms of pulmonary or extrapulmonary TB in the Manyara region of Tanzania. After the enrollment of participants, a questionnaire survey was conducted, samples were collected for bacterial culture, and real-time multiplex PCR was performed to differentiate amongst primary animal and human MTBC lineages. The results show poor TB awareness: 31.6% of the participants were not aware of human TB; 82.4% were unaware of animal TB and 95.2% lacked awareness of zoonotic TB (zTB) transmission. A total of 18 recovered specimens (5%; 95% CI: 3–8%) were positive by culture, all of which were typed as M. tuberculosis sensu stricto using a lineage-specific PCR assay. While no single risk factor was significantly associated with MTBC culture positivity, the survey revealed considerable self-reported high-risk practices for contracting zTB. Together, the results show that Manyara residents have poor knowledge of diseases caused by MTBCs and high evidence of risky practices for contracting zTB