ABSTRACT
Leptospirosis is a neglected emerging infectious disease with high burden in Africa. Major reservoirs of leptospirosis are rodents and other small mammals. Studies of leptospirosis in bats and the extent to which they contribute to its transmission to humans and domestic animals in Tanzania are lacking. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of leptospirosis and local Leptospira check for this species in other resources serovars in bat colonies found around human settlements in ; Tanzania. In this study; mist nets were used to capture bats at Sokoine University of Agriculture main campus; whereas bats roosting on trees at Nunge A; Nunge B and Mwere primary school were captured manually. Leptospirosis was determined using the gold standard microscopic agglutination test for determination of Leptospira antibodies. Six live Leptospira serovars including local Leptospira serovar Sokoine; Kenya and Lora reported in rodents and domestic animals in Tanzania; and reference serovars Hebdomadis; Canicola and Pomona were used in the study. Leptospirosis prevalence was high in bats (19.4) and higher within colonies (27.3). Leptospira serovar Sokoine was more prevalent (19.4) compared to serovars Kenya (2.8) and Lora (2.8). Serovars Pomona; Canicola and Hebdomadis were not detected in bats. In conclusion; bats are potential reservoir and transmitter of Leptospira serovar Sokoine; hence should be prevented to access houses and roosting in human settlements to avoid public health risks. Routine diagnosis of human leptospirosis is needed in Tanzania as evidence show a high prevalence of Leptospira in reservoir hosts interacting with humans
Subject(s)
Chiroptera , Disease Reservoirs , Leptospirosis , PrevalenceABSTRACT
Abstract:This article describes Anti-Persoonsmijnen Ontmijnende Product Ontwikkeling (APOPO) recent use of specially trained African giant pouched rats as detectors of pulmonary tuberculosis in people living in Tanzania. It summarizes the achievements and challenges encountered over the years and outlines future prospects. Since 2008; second-line screening by the rats has identified more than 2000 tuberculosis-positive patients who were missed by microscopy at Direct Observation of Treatment - Short Course centres in Tanzania. Moreover; data that are reviewed herein have been collected with respect to the rats' sensitivity and specificity in detecting tuberculosis. Findings strongly suggest that scent-detecting rats offer a quick and practical tool for detecting pulmonary tuberculosis and within the year APOPO's tuberculosis-detection project will be extended to Mozambique. As part of its local capacity building effort; APOPO hires and trains Tanzanians to play many important roles in its TB detection project and provides research and training opportunities for Tanzanian students