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dc.contributor.authorMoorthy, Ganga
dc.contributor.authorRubach, Matthew
dc.contributor.authorMaze, Michael
dc.contributor.authorShirima, Gabriel
dc.date.accessioned2024-04-16T11:13:53Z
dc.date.available2024-04-16T11:13:53Z
dc.date.issued2024-02-01
dc.identifier.urihttps://dspace.nm-aist.ac.tz/handle/20.500.12479/2514
dc.descriptionA research article was published by Tropical Medicine & International Health, 2024en_US
dc.description.abstractBackground: In northern Tanzania, Q fever, spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsioses, and typhus group (TG) rickettsioses are common causes of febrile illness. We sought to describe the prevalence and risk factors for these zoonoses in a pastoralist community. Methods: Febrile patients ≥2 years old presenting to Endulen Hospital in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area were enrolled from August 2016 through October 2017. Acute and convalescent blood samples were collected, and a questionnaire was administered. Sera were tested by immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) IgG assays using Coxiella burnetii (Phase II), Rickettsia africae, and Rickettsia typhi antigens. Serologic evidence of exposure was defined by an IFA titre ≥1:64; probable cases by an acute IFA titre ≥1:128; and confirmed cases by a ≥4-fold rise in titre between samples. Risk factors for exposure and acute case status were evaluated. Results: Of 228 participants, 99 (43.4%) were male and the median (interquartile range) age was 27 (16–41) years. Among these, 117 (51.3%) had C. burnetii exposure, 74 (32.5%) had probable Q fever, 176 (77.2%) had SFG Rickettsia exposure, 134 (58.8%) had probable SFG rickettsioses, 11 (4.8%) had TG Rickettsia exposure, and 4 (1.8%) had probable TG rickettsioses. Of 146 participants with paired sera, 1 (0.5%) had confirmed Q fever, 8 (5.5%) had confirmed SFG rickettsioses, and none had confirmed TG rickettsioses. Livestock slaughter was associated with acute Q fever (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.38–4.76) and sheep slaughter with SFG rickettsioses case (OR 4.63, 95% CI 1.08–23.50). Discussion: Acute Q fever and SFG rickettsioses were detected in participants with febrile illness. Exposures to C. burnetii and to SFG Rickettsia were highly prevalent, and interactions with livestock were associated with increased odds of illness with both path- ogens. Further characterisation of the burden and risks for these diseases is warranted.en_US
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherTropical Medicine & International Healthen_US
dc.subjectQ feveren_US
dc.subjectzoonosesen_US
dc.subjectrickettsiosesen_US
dc.titlePrevalence and risk factors for Q fever, spotted fever grouprickettsioses, and typhus group rickettsioses in a pastoralistcommunity of northern Tanzania, 2016–2017en_US
dc.typeArticleen_US


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