Abstract
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.
Highlights
“Bushmeat”, the meat and organs derived from harvested wildlife species, is a common source of animal protein throughout the tropics of the Americas, Asia, Australia, and Africa
A goal of this study was to assess the potential for risk of human exposure to three select agents, Bacillus anthracis, Brucella spp., and Coxiella burnetii associated with bushmeat handling and consumption in Tanzania
While the presence of DNA signatures does not imply the presence of a viable organism, given that bushmeat consumption is as high as 5 meals per week in some households, and with an overall pathogen prevalence of 2.03% (1.6–2.5%), this risk of exposure remains a concern and worthy of further investigation
Summary
“Bushmeat”, the meat and organs derived from harvested wildlife species, is a common source of animal protein throughout the tropics of the Americas, Asia, Australia, and Africa. Bushmeat smuggling from Africa and elsewhere could act as a conduit for pathogen spread as suggested by the recent discovery of retroviruses and herpesviruses in bushmeat illegally imported to the U S5 This is of particular relevance in light of the current global pandemic of SARS-CoV-2, and the increasing risk of newly emerging infectious diseases of zoonotic o rigin[6 ]. In sub-Saharan Africa, including Tanzania, studies have indicated the presence of Brucella in wildlife and that livestock to humans is considered an endemic problem causing devastating economic losses and challenges for public h ealth[14,15,16,17]. A Gram-negative bacterial CDC select agent that causes Q fever is transmitted to livestock, wildlife, and humans via byproducts and the direct contact with infected animals. Another cross sectional sero-epidemiological study conducted in South Africa concluded higher risk of zoonotic transmission and economic loss was associated with the livestock-wildlife interface[23] and this has been supported by a number of studies across A frica[21,24,25]
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