1 of 22

Serological evidence of exposure to Anaplasma marginale in cattle from Lower Shabelle Region, Somalia

Abdalla M. Ibrahim*1,2,3, Aamir M. Osman1,2,3, Ahmed A. Hassan-Kadle1,2,3, Larissa D.R. Ferrari1, Flávia C.M. Collere1, Mohamed A. Shair1,2,3, Marcos R. André4, Thállitha S.W.J. Vieira1, Rosangela Z. Machado4*, and Rafael F.C. Vieira1,5 *

abdallami@abrar.edu.so, rzacariasmachado@gmail.com, rvieira@ufpr.br

@SomaliOneHealth

22 - 24 March -2022

2 of 22

CONTENT

  1. INTRODUCTION
  2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
  3. RESULTS
  4. DISCUSSION
  5. CONCLUSION
  6. RECOMMENDATIONS

​

​

​

​

​

​

@SomaliOneHealth

22 - 24 March -2022

3 of 22

INTRODUCTION

  • Tick-borne diseases are major constraints to livestock development
  • Anaplasmosis is considered to be among the causes of mortality and economical losses of cattle industry.
  • Cattle represent 12% of Somali livestock.

��

@SomaliOneHealth

22 - 24 March -2022

4 of 22

Exotic dairy cattle are more susceptible

@SomaliOneHealth

22 - 24 March -2022

5 of 22

Many TBPs are zoonotic�People at risk

@SomaliOneHealth

22 - 24 March -2022

6 of 22

Anaplasma spp. as intra-erythrocytic Bacteria

@SomaliOneHealth

22 - 24 March -2022

7 of 22

@SomaliOneHealth

22 - 24 March -2022

8 of 22

The Research Problem statement

  • Molecular taxonomy of Anaplasma, zoonotic evidence of ruminant-associated species (e.g. A. phagocytophilum and A. capra) and reports from neighboring countries encourage research on seroprevalence and molecular genotyping of this bacterium.
  • The disease: Animals tick-borne fever and human granulocytic anaplasmosis)

@SomaliOneHealth

22 - 24 March -2022

9 of 22

Objectives

  • The overall objective of the project:
  • To investigate the occurrence and genetic diversity of Anaplasma spp. in cattle from Somalia using serological and molecular techniques.
  • The specific objectives:
  • To assess the seroprevalence of A. marginale in cattle.
  • To determine the molecular characterization of Anaplasma spp. in Somali cattle

@SomaliOneHealth

22 - 24 March -2022

10 of 22

MATERIALS AND METHODS�

  • Lower Shabelle Region was Purposively selected
  • 3 districts were conveniently included:
  • Afgoi 2. Awdhegle 3. Wanlaweyn
  • R. Design: A cross sectional study.
  • Sample: blood of 129 cattle were conveniently collected for serum
  • Test: The sera were tested for anti-A. marginale antibodies using a commercial rMSP5 antigen-iELISA 

@SomaliOneHealth

22 - 24 March -2022

11 of 22

Data Analysis and presentation

  • Samples frequency were described based on: site, sex, Age, tick infestation and body condition
  • The association between these variables and the sero-positivity were analyzed by “Chi square test” using SPSS software version 25.
  • The differences considered significant when p<0.05
  • The results were presented in tables below:

@SomaliOneHealth

22 - 24 March -2022

12 of 22

Seroprevalence of A. marginale in cattle from different Districts of Lower Shabelle Region

District

P+ve/n

Prevalence% (95% CI)

p-value

Afgoi

12/19

63.2 (41.0 - 80.9)

​

0.002

 

 

Awdhegle

61/64

95.3 (87.1 - 98.4)

Wanlaweyn

37/46

80.4 (66.8 - 98.4)

Total

110/129

85.27 (78.14 – 90.36)

@SomaliOneHealth

22 - 24 March -2022

13 of 22

Effect of Gender on Seroprevalence of A. marginale in cattle from Lower Shabelle Region

District

P+ve/n

Prevalence% (95% CI)

p-value

Female

102/120

85.0 (77.5 - 90.3)

​

0.606

 

Male

8/9

88.9 (56.5 - 98.0)

Total

110/129

85.27 (78.14 – 90.36)

@SomaliOneHealth

22 - 24 March -2022

14 of 22

The effect of Age on Seroprevalence of A. marginale in cattle from Lower Shabelle Region

District

P+ve/n

Prevalence% (95% CI)

p-value

<2 years

8/9

88.9 (56.5 - 98.0)

​

0.923

 

 

2-5 years

45/54

83.3 (71.3 - 91.0)

>5 years

57/66

86.4 (76.1 - 92.7)

Total

110/129

85.27 (78.14 – 90.36)

@SomaliOneHealth

22 - 24 March -2022

15 of 22

Effect of Tick infestation on Seroprevalence of A. marginale in cattle from Lower Shabelle Region

District

P+ve/n

Prevalence% (95% CI)

p-value

Yes

27/32

84.4 (68.3 - 93.1)

​

0.535

 

No

83/97

85.6 (77.2 - 91.2)

Total

110/129

85.27 (78.14 – 90.36)

@SomaliOneHealth

22 - 24 March -2022

16 of 22

Effect of Body condition on Seroprevalence of A. marginale in cattle from Lower Shabelle Region

District

P+ve/n

Prevalence% (95% CI)

p-value

Good

58/70

82.9 (72.4 - 89.9)

​

0.434

 

 

Moderate

33/39

89.6 (70.3 - 92.8)

Poor

19/20

95.0 (76.4 – 99.1)

Total

110/129

85.27 (78.14 – 90.36)

@SomaliOneHealth

22 - 24 March -2022

17 of 22

Discussion

  • Almost 90% of the examined cattle were exposed to A. marginale.
  • Sero-positivity is significantly higher in Awdhegle than other districts
  • 66-79% in Ethiopia (molecularly 2018), 66% in Sudan (microscopic 2010)

@SomaliOneHealth

22 - 24 March -2022

18 of 22

72.4% microscopically �

@SomaliOneHealth

22 - 24 March -2022

19 of 22

Discussion

  • Male young (8/9) cattle showed “insignificant” more susceptibility, however, the bacterium is known to be more pathogenic in older one
  • Almost all cattle (19/20) with poor body condition were seropositive. The bacterium is known to cause anaemia, loss of appetite and low milk production.
  • Presence or absence of tick in tested animal has no significant effect because it could also be transmitted by biting flies.

@SomaliOneHealth

22 - 24 March -2022

20 of 22

9 species of ixodid ticks belonging to three Genera; Rhipicephalus, Amblyomma, and Hyalomma, (94.75%, 4.8%, and 0.45%) �

52.2% microscopic 54.9% molecular�

@SomaliOneHealth

22 - 24 March -2022

21 of 22

Conclusion and Recommendation

  • Cattle are highly exposed to A. marginale in LSR and highlighted the importance of preventive measures from T&TBDs in the country.
  • The ongoing molecular detection and characterization is of great value for the possibility of zoonotic anaplasmosis in Somalia.

@SomaliOneHealth

22 - 24 March -2022

22 of 22

شكرا

Thanks

Mahadsanidiin

Obrigado

@SomaliOneHealth

22 - 24 March -2022