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Differences in prevalence of tuberculosis in indigenous and crossbred cattle under extensive and intensive management systems in Tanga Region of Tanzania

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Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted between May 2003 and January 2004 on 130 households and 655 (246 indigenous and 409 crossbred) cattle to determine the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) and assess risk factors associated with prevalence in smallholder dairy and traditionally managed herds in the Tanga region of North-eastern Tanzania. Random sampling, single intradermal tuberculin (SIT), comparative intradermal tuberculin (SCIT) tests and a questionnaire were used to gather individual animal and herd level information. From 642 animal tested by SIT, 35 (5.4%) were positive reactors for tuberculosis. Out of those 35 bTB positive reactors, eight (1.25%) proved to be positive reactors for tuberculosis upon further testing by SCIT. Based on the SCIT test, individual animal prevalences of bTB in the smallholder dairy and traditionally managed cattle was 2% and 0%, respectively. The corresponding overall herd prevalence was 5.7% and 0%, respectively. In conclusion, bTB prevalence seems low; however, its potential risk to public health is of concern; underscoring the need for further research, active surveillance to better understand the epidemiology of the disease in different cattle production systems in Tanzania.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to all participating farmers for their cooperation and help. The livestock field officers and technician at Tanga are thanked for their field and technical assistance. Thanks are extended to the Director of Veterinary Service, Tanzania for permission to publish this work.

Conflict of interest statement

None of the authors of this paper has a financial or personal relationship with other people or organization that could inappropriately influence or bias the content of the paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Veterinary Investigation Centre (VIC), Box 1068, Arusha, Tanzania

    Emmanuel Senyael Swai

  2. Tanga Dairy Trust (TADAT), Box 1720, Tanga, Tanzania

    Luuk Schoonman

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  1. Emmanuel Senyael Swai
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  2. Luuk Schoonman
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Correspondence to Emmanuel Senyael Swai.

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Swai, E.S., Schoonman, L. Differences in prevalence of tuberculosis in indigenous and crossbred cattle under extensive and intensive management systems in Tanga Region of Tanzania. Trop Anim Health Prod 44, 459–465 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-011-9919-9

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