Serologic Surveillance of Anthrax in the Serengeti Ecosystem, Tanzania
Author Information
Author(s): Tiziana Lembo, Kate Hampson, Harriet Auty, Cari A. Beesley, Paul Bessell, Craig Packer, Jo Halliday, Robert Fyumagwa, Richard Hoare, Ernest Eblate, Christine Mentzel, Titus Mlengeya, Karen Stamey, Patricia P. Wilkins, Sarah Cleaveland
Primary Institution: University of Glasgow
Hypothesis
What are the patterns of exposure to and illness caused by Bacillus anthracis in different species in the Serengeti ecosystem?
Conclusion
The study found high seroprevalence among carnivores and varying susceptibility among herbivores, indicating that serosurveillance is a valuable tool for monitoring anthrax.
Supporting Evidence
- High seroprevalence among carnivores suggested regular nonfatal exposure to anthrax.
- Seropositive wildebeest and buffalo indicated that infection was not invariably fatal among herbivores.
- Absence of seropositivity in zebras suggested high susceptibility to anthrax.
- Patterns in domestic dogs reflected known patterns of anthrax endemicity.
Takeaway
This study looked at how different animals in the Serengeti get exposed to anthrax, a disease caused by bacteria, and found that some animals get sick while others do not.
Methodology
The study used serologic assays to detect antibodies in various wildlife and domestic dog populations over a period from 1996 to 2009.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on passive surveillance and underreporting of human cases.
Limitations
The study faced challenges in case detection due to rapid carcass decomposition and hazardous conditions, which may have led to underreporting of cases.
Participant Demographics
The study included various wildlife species and domestic dogs from different regions in Tanzania.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website