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Environment and farm factors associated with exposure to Theileria parva infection in cattle under traditional mixed farming system in Mbeere District, Kenya

Tropical Animal Health and Production volume 43, pages 271–277 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between seroprevalence to Theileria parva infection in cattle and potential environmental and farm-level effects in 80 farms under traditional crop–livestock system in Mbeere District, Kenya. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect the effects characteristics as related to T. parva infection epidemiology. Serum samples were collected from 440 cattle of all ages for detection of T. parva antibodies by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. The association between the variables was assessed using a generalized estimation equation logistic regression model. The overall T. parva seroprevalence, accounting for correlation of responses, was 19.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) 14%, 25%). Two variables, “administrative division” and “presence of the vector tick on the farm”, were significantly associated with the T. parva seroresponse. Respectively, cattle from farms in Gachoka, Evurore, and Mwea divisions were (and their 95% CI) 1.3 (0.36, 4.8), 4.4 (1.2, 15.9), and 15.2 (4.9, 47.1) times more likely to be seropositive relative to those from Siakago Division (P = 0.000). Cattle from farms in which the vector tick was present were 2.9 (1.2, 6.7) times more likely to be seropositive (P = 0.011). Results of this study suggested that both environmental and farm factors may be associated with T. parva infection epidemiology in Mbeere District. Under such circumstances, characterization of environmental suitability for the vector tick and corresponding environment-specific farm management practices in the district is required both for improved understanding of the disease and in planning disease control programs.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Mbeere cattle farmers who participated in this study. Logistical support from Mbeere District Veterinary Office is acknowledged. The authors are also grateful to BecA—ILRI Hub and in particular Alice Njeri for laboratory technical assistance. We thank Pamela Ochungo, ILRI, for generating the map of the study area. This work was funded by the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) and Kenya Agricultural Productivity Project (KAPP).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), P.O. Box 30709, 00100, Nairobi, Kenya

    John M. Gachohi

  2. Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Trypanosomiasis Research Center (KARI-TRC), P.O. Box 362, 00902, Kikuyu, Kenya

    John M. Gachohi

  3. Department of Public Health, Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053, 00625, Nairobi, Kenya

    Phillip M. Kitala

  4. Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Veterinary Research Center (KARI-VRC), Muguga, P.O. Box 32, 00902, Kikuyu, Kenya

    Priscilla N. Ngumi

  5. Biosciences Eastern and Central Africa (BecA)—ILRI Hub, P.O. Box 30709, 00100, Nairobi, Kenya

    Rob A. Skilton

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  1. John M. Gachohi
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  2. Phillip M. Kitala
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  3. Priscilla N. Ngumi
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  4. Rob A. Skilton
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Correspondence to John M. Gachohi.

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Gachohi, J.M., Kitala, P.M., Ngumi, P.N. et al. Environment and farm factors associated with exposure to Theileria parva infection in cattle under traditional mixed farming system in Mbeere District, Kenya. Trop Anim Health Prod 43, 271–277 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-010-9688-x

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Keywords

  • Theileria parva
  • Seroprevalence
  • Environment and farm factors
  • Mbeere
  • Kenya

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