Sero-epidemiology of Coxiella burnetii in livestock and humans in Isiolo county Kenya
Background: <i>Coxiella burnetii</i>, the causative agent of Q fever, is a globally distributed pathogen with significant zoonotic and economic impacts, particularly in regions where humans and livestock interact closely. Although endemic in many countries, including Kenya, comprehensive epidemiolog...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | Inglés |
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2025
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| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/177213 |
| _version_ | 1855532751871016960 |
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| author | Mutisya, W.M. Akoko, James M. Mwatondo, Athman Muturi, Mathew Nthiwa, D. Abkallo, Hussein Nyamota, Richard Wachira, T. Gathura, P. Bett, Bernard K. |
| author_browse | Abkallo, Hussein Akoko, James M. Bett, Bernard K. Gathura, P. Mutisya, W.M. Muturi, Mathew Mwatondo, Athman Nthiwa, D. Nyamota, Richard Wachira, T. |
| author_facet | Mutisya, W.M. Akoko, James M. Mwatondo, Athman Muturi, Mathew Nthiwa, D. Abkallo, Hussein Nyamota, Richard Wachira, T. Gathura, P. Bett, Bernard K. |
| author_sort | Mutisya, W.M. |
| collection | Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace) |
| description | Background: <i>Coxiella burnetii</i>, the causative agent of Q fever, is a globally distributed pathogen with significant zoonotic and economic impacts, particularly in regions where humans and livestock interact closely. Although endemic in many countries, including Kenya, comprehensive epidemiological data on the pathogen are limited. To address this gap, we conducted a linked human and livestock populations study in Garbatulla, Isiolo County to assess seroprevalence and identify potential predictors of <i>C. burnetii</i> exposure.
Methods: We used a cross-sectional design with multistage sampling. Blood and serum samples were collected from 2,157 livestock and 683 humans that were recruited from 242 households. Additional data on herd/household and subject characteristics were collected using a structured questionnaire. Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to test the serum samples for antibodies against <i>C. burnetii</i>. Univariable and multivariable analyses identified potential predictors of exposure in both livestock and humans.
Results: The overall seroprevalence of <i>C. burnetii</i> was 47.9% (95% CI: 45.7%-50.1%) in livestock and 44.7% (95% CI: 40.9%-48.5%) in humans. In livestock, significant variation in seroprevalence was found by species (p < 0.001). Goats were found to have significantly higher odds of being exposed to <i>C. burnetii</i> compared to cattle, sheep and camels. Both weaners and young animals had significantly lower odds of exposure compared to adults. In humans, the odds of <i>C. burnetii</i> exposure were lower among females compared to males. Herds seropositivity was also an important predictor of humans’ exposure to <i>C. burnetii</i>.
Conclusions: This study provides evidence of high seroprevalence of <i>C. burnetii</i> in both livestock and humans, highlighting the need for active surveillance programs targeting both populations. These programs should focus on identifying active shedding and implementing targeted control measures to mitigate the public health risks associated with <i>C. burnetii</i>. |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | CGSpace177213 |
| institution | CGIAR Consortium |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | CGSpace1772132025-10-26T13:00:53Z Sero-epidemiology of Coxiella burnetii in livestock and humans in Isiolo county Kenya Mutisya, W.M. Akoko, James M. Mwatondo, Athman Muturi, Mathew Nthiwa, D. Abkallo, Hussein Nyamota, Richard Wachira, T. Gathura, P. Bett, Bernard K. animal health epidemiology health livestock q fever zoonoses Background: <i>Coxiella burnetii</i>, the causative agent of Q fever, is a globally distributed pathogen with significant zoonotic and economic impacts, particularly in regions where humans and livestock interact closely. Although endemic in many countries, including Kenya, comprehensive epidemiological data on the pathogen are limited. To address this gap, we conducted a linked human and livestock populations study in Garbatulla, Isiolo County to assess seroprevalence and identify potential predictors of <i>C. burnetii</i> exposure. Methods: We used a cross-sectional design with multistage sampling. Blood and serum samples were collected from 2,157 livestock and 683 humans that were recruited from 242 households. Additional data on herd/household and subject characteristics were collected using a structured questionnaire. Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to test the serum samples for antibodies against <i>C. burnetii</i>. Univariable and multivariable analyses identified potential predictors of exposure in both livestock and humans. Results: The overall seroprevalence of <i>C. burnetii</i> was 47.9% (95% CI: 45.7%-50.1%) in livestock and 44.7% (95% CI: 40.9%-48.5%) in humans. In livestock, significant variation in seroprevalence was found by species (p < 0.001). Goats were found to have significantly higher odds of being exposed to <i>C. burnetii</i> compared to cattle, sheep and camels. Both weaners and young animals had significantly lower odds of exposure compared to adults. In humans, the odds of <i>C. burnetii</i> exposure were lower among females compared to males. Herds seropositivity was also an important predictor of humans’ exposure to <i>C. burnetii</i>. Conclusions: This study provides evidence of high seroprevalence of <i>C. burnetii</i> in both livestock and humans, highlighting the need for active surveillance programs targeting both populations. These programs should focus on identifying active shedding and implementing targeted control measures to mitigate the public health risks associated with <i>C. burnetii</i>. 2025-10-17 2025-10-20T04:58:07Z 2025-10-20T04:58:07Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/177213 en Open Access Mutisya, W.M., Akoko, J.M., Mwatondo, A., Muturi, M., Nthiwa, D., Abkallo, H.M., Nyamota, R., Wachira, T., Gathura, P. and Bett, B. 2025. Sero-epidemiology of <i>Coxiella burnetii</i> in livestock and humans in Isiolo county Kenya. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 19(10): e0013557. |
| spellingShingle | animal health epidemiology health livestock q fever zoonoses Mutisya, W.M. Akoko, James M. Mwatondo, Athman Muturi, Mathew Nthiwa, D. Abkallo, Hussein Nyamota, Richard Wachira, T. Gathura, P. Bett, Bernard K. Sero-epidemiology of Coxiella burnetii in livestock and humans in Isiolo county Kenya |
| title | Sero-epidemiology of Coxiella burnetii in livestock and humans in Isiolo county Kenya |
| title_full | Sero-epidemiology of Coxiella burnetii in livestock and humans in Isiolo county Kenya |
| title_fullStr | Sero-epidemiology of Coxiella burnetii in livestock and humans in Isiolo county Kenya |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sero-epidemiology of Coxiella burnetii in livestock and humans in Isiolo county Kenya |
| title_short | Sero-epidemiology of Coxiella burnetii in livestock and humans in Isiolo county Kenya |
| title_sort | sero epidemiology of coxiella burnetii in livestock and humans in isiolo county kenya |
| topic | animal health epidemiology health livestock q fever zoonoses |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/177213 |
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