Monitoring Ehrlichia ruminantium Infection in Gambian Lambs and Kids
Author Information
Author(s): Faburay Bonto, Geysen Dirk, Munstermann Susanne, Bell-Sakyi Lesley, Jongejan Frans
Primary Institution: International Trypanotolerance Centre
Hypothesis
The study aims to monitor the onset and kinetics of Ehrlichia ruminantium infection in newborn lambs and kids in The Gambia.
Conclusion
The study suggests that both vector and vertical transmission may play a vital role in the epidemiology of heartwater in young small ruminants.
Supporting Evidence
- The infection rate detected by pCS20 PCR varied between 8.6% and 54.8% over the study period.
- Nineteen percent of the animals in week 1 post-partum tested positive by pCS20 PCR.
- The earliest detectable A. variegatum infestation occurred in week 16 after birth.
- Antibodies detected by MAP1-B ELISA varied between 11.5% and 90%.
- The pCS20 PCR detected higher E. ruminantium prevalence in animals with increasing age.
- Mortality due to heartwater was observed in young indigenous lambs and kids as early as 4 weeks after birth.
- Single-occasion testing of an animal may not reveal its true infection status.
Takeaway
Researchers looked at how young sheep and goats get sick from a germ called Ehrlichia ruminantium, finding that they can catch it from their mothers and from ticks.
Methodology
The study used nested pCS20 PCR and MAP1-B ELISA to monitor infection and antibody response in lambs and kids over 162 days.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the traditional husbandry system and the absence of tick control.
Limitations
Some samples were lost due to freezer failure, and serological data for some animals were unavailable due to label erasure.
Participant Demographics
The study involved 77 newborn lambs and kids from three sites in The Gambia.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.003
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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