Abstract
BackgroundInformation as regards the epidemiology of the Anaplasmataceae in small ruminants in several low- and middle-income countries is scarce. MethodsIn this study a total of 712 DNA samples collected from small ruminants were analyzed for Anaplasmataceae and Anaplasma ovis using the 16S rRNA and MSP4 genes respectively. Infection risk was assessed by location, sex and age of the animals and qGIS® was used to construct spatial maps. ResultsThe prevalence of Anaplasmataceae spp was 89.1% (95% CI: 77.5–95.9) and 79.1% (95% CI: 75.9–82.1) in ovines and caprines respectively (RR = 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0–1.3); higher than those previously reported in other eastern African countries. The prevalence of A. ovis was 26.1% and 25.4% for both ovines and caprines respectively with ovines showing significantly higher levels of infection than caprines (P < 0.05). The risk of Anaplasma ovis infections was not affected by age (OR = 1.2, 95% CI: 0.9–1.7) or sex (OR = 1.1, 95% CI: 0.6–2.0). Small ruminants located at the forest edge (<0.3 km) showed higher A. ovis prevalence than those found inland with infections present in the midland regions associated with increased agricultural activity. ConclusionAnaplasma ovis remains a major challenge for small ruminant husbandry in Uganda and infections are under-reported. Policy efforts to prioritize management of Anaplasmataceae for small ruminant health would promote livestock productivity in vulnerable communities, improving livelihoods and ecosystem health.
Highlights
Across Africa and Asia, small ruminants often maintained in mixed farms, are a major source of animal protein and raw materials for the fragile food industry (Devendra, 1994)
This study aimed to assess the prevalence of Anaplasmataceae in small ruminants of Uganda Prior to this study, examination of A. ovis in small ruminants had never been conducted in Uganda
Infections in small ruminants due to Anaplasmataceae were significantly higher in ovines than caprines (RR 1⁄4 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0–1.3)
Summary
Across Africa and Asia, small ruminants often maintained in mixed farms, are a major source of animal protein and raw materials for the fragile food industry (Devendra, 1994). In communities where poverty is endemic, small ruminants contribute essential revenue (Peacock, 2005), assets (Inn, 2003), and sources of food security (Herrero et al, 2013; Lalljee et al, 2019). Small ruminants are considered key to fighting poverty in Uganda (Akejo and Otto, 2017; Inn, 2003) but the increasing burden of hemoprotozoan infections threatens their productivity and community livelihoods due to the risk of zoonotic disease transmission (Kasozi et al, 2019). Small ruminants located at the forest edge (
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