ABSTRACT
Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a serious emerging zoonosis. It is characterized by severe infection of the respiratory tract in humans. Dromedary camels are considered to be the most probable origin of the pathogenic Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). This cross-sectional survey was carried out to ascertain the seroprevalence of MERS-CoV in dromedary camels at Illela border and human patients in a secondary care hospital in Illela, Sokoto State, Nigeria from November 2016 to January 2017. Serum samples from 74 camels and 39 human patients were collected while a data form was administered to the camel handlers (40) and human patients to obtain information on zoographic characteristics of dromedary camels, demographic characteristics of camel handlers and human patients and some practices of both groups which are likely to predispose to MERS-CoV infection. The serum samples were analyzed for antibodies against MERS-CoV using the indirect Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA). All the camels sampled were seropositive against MERS-CoV and 74% of the human patients had antibodies against MERS. All handlers treated their camels without consulting veterinarians and there was little or no biosecurity measures undertaken. Age, sex, and occupation were not significant determinants for the presence of MERS-CoV antibody in human patients sampled. This study serves as a baseline for similar researches and due to the high seroprevalence obtained in this study for both camels and humans, there is need for trained personnel, surveillance and diagnostic tools at our border posts and animal markets. Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00580-022-03351-3.
ABSTRACT
Brucellosis and Q fever are neglected zoonoses of global health importance, with unknown true prevalence in occupationally vulnerable settings, partly due to misdiagnosis for other febrile conditions and poor access to primary health care. We examined the seroprevalence of these diseases and associated factors amongst pastoralists and their cattle in Sokoto State, a hub of cattle and pastoral populations in Nigeria. Serum samples randomly collected from 137 pastoralists and 366 cattle from 27 herds in three selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state were analysed for antibodies to Brucella abortus using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBT) and competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (cELISA) as well as antibodies to Coxiella burnetti using indirect ELISA. Consenting pastoralists' knowledge, perception and practices about the diseases were assessed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis at p ≤ 0.05 level of significance. Brucellosis adjusted individual seroprevalence were 0.83% (95%CI: 0.04-4.59%) and 0% among pastoralists; 2.28% (95%CI: 1.16-4.43%) and 5.70% (95%CI: 3.68-8.74%) in cattle by RBT and cELISA, respectively. Adjusted herd-level seroprevalence for brucellosis were 23.20% (95%CI: 11.07-42.54%) and 42.00% (95%CI: 25.27-61.11%) by RBT and cELISA, respectively. For Q fever, higher seroprevalence of 62.57% (95%CI: 54.04-70.46%) and 2.98% (95%CI: 1.57-5.58%) were recorded amongst the pastoralists and their cattle, respectively. with adjusted herd-level seroprevalence of 40.36% (95%CI: 22.57-63.17%). The LGAs of sampling were significantly (OR: 0.2; 95%CI: 0.02-1.00) associated with Q fever infection, though marginal. The majority of the pastoralists had poor knowledge, perception and practices towards the diseases. This is the first study establishing the presence of brucellosis and Q fever at the human-animal interface in Sokoto State, Nigeria. The pastoralists' poor knowledge, perception and practices about these diseases are worrisome and are important factors for consideration in disease control.
