SEROPREVALENCE OF COXIELLA BURNETTI IN CATTLE AND ITS RISK FACTORS IN KADUNA METROPOLIS, NIGERIA
SEROPREVALENCE OF COXIELLA BURNETTI IN CATTLE AND ITS RISK FACTORS IN KADUNA METROPOLIS, NIGERIA
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Date
2012-12
Authors
TUKUR, Habiba Bello
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Abstract
Coxiellosis (Q fever) is an infectious disease associated with reproductive disorders
which is of animal and public health significance. This work was carried out to determine
the prevalence of antibodies to Coxiella burnetti in cattle from farms in Kaduna
metropolis, and to determine if management practices, ectoparasite control, abortion
history, and presence of other animals on the farm are risk factors associated with
Coxiella burnetti infection. Twenty percent of cattle were randomly sampled from each
of 42 identified farms. A total of 539 blood samples from cattle of both sexes were
collected. Animal record forms were used to collect information on each animal, and a
questionnaire was administered to each farm to assess the possible risk factors associated
with Coxiella burnetti infection. The samples were analyzed using a commercially
available enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit obtained from Innovative
Diagnostics (ID Vet) Montpellier-France, for determination of Coxiella burnetti
antibodies. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences
(SPSS) Version 17.0. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI on OR were calculated to check for
associations and statistical significance. Fisher‟s Exact Test was used to test for
associations in cells with small numbers. Of the 539 serum samples tested, 78 (14.5%)
were positive, and of the 42 sampled farms, 24 (57.1%) had positive cases. There was no
significant difference in prevalence between females (14.5%) and males (14.1%).
Coxiella burnetti infection was significantly higher in the local breed (P<0.05) than cross
breeds while none of the exotic breeds sampled tested positive. Infection was more
prevalent in cattle over 3 years than in cattle 3 years and below (OR=1.13, 95% CI, 0.69-
1.86). There was no statistically significant relationship between management system and
Coxiella burnetti infection, but prevalence was higher in the intensive management
system (66.7%). Prevalence of infection was higher in herds with no ectoparasite control
(100%) than in herds with ectoparasite control (56.1%). Cleaning and disinfection of
equipment after use was found to have a significantly protective effect (OR = 0.15, 95%
CI, 0.03-0.79). The prevalence of infection was higher in herds with no history of
abortions or stillbirths (70%) compared to herds with abortion history (45.5%) (OR=0.36,
95% CI 0.10-1.28). The presence of other animals on the farm was associated with
infection (OR=1.35, 95% CI, 0.08-23.20). Ninety five percent of respondents had never
heard of Q fever, only 31% of the respondents boil milk before drinking, this is of public
health concern. Good hygienic practices and ectoparasite control are recommended.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE
AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN VETERINARY
PUBLIC HEALTH AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH
AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE,
FACULTY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY,
ZARIA, NIGERIA
Keywords
SEROPREVALENCE,, COXIELLA BURNETTI,, CATTLE,, RISK,, KADUNA METROPOLIS,, NIGERIA.