Emerging Zoonotic Diseases among Pastoral Communities of Caia and Búzi Districts, Sofala, Mozambique: Evidence of Antibodies against Brucella, Leptospira, Rickettsia, and Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus

Emerging zoonotic diseases are an increasing threat to public health. There is little data on the seroprevalence of zoonotic diseases among pastoralists in the country. We aim to carry out a cross-sectional study on the prevalence of major zoonotic diseases among pastoral communities in the Caia and Búzi districts. Methods: Between January and December 2018, a questionnaire was used to solicit socio-demographic data from consenting pastoralists with the collection of blood samples in the Caia and Búzi districts of the Sofala province. All samples were tested using ELISA commercial reagents for the detection of IgM antibodies against Brucella and Leptospira. Likewise, IgM and IgG antibodies against Rickettsia and CCHFV were determined using ELISA kits. Results: A total of 218 samples were tested, of which 43.5% (95/218) were from the district of Caia and 56.4% (123/218) from the Búzi district. Results from both districts showed that the seroprevalence of IgM antibodies against Brucella and Leptospira was 2.7% (6/218) and 30.3% (67/218), respectively. Positivity rates for IgM and IgG anti-Rickettsia and CCHFV were 8.7% (19/218), 2.7% (6/218), 4.1% (9/218), and 0.9% (2/218), respectively. Conclusions: Results from our study showed evidence of antibodies due to exposure to Brucella, Leptospira, Rickettsia, and CCHFV with antibodies against Leptospira and Rickettsia being the most prevalent. Hence, laboratory diagnosis of zoonotic diseases is essential in the early detection of outbreaks, the identification of silent transmission, and the etiology of non-febrile illness in a pastoral community. There is a need to develop public health interventions that will reduce the risk of transmission.

Emerging Zoonotic Diseases among Pastoral Communities of Caia and Búzi Districts, Sofala, Mozambique: Evidence of Antibodies against Brucella, Leptospira, Rickettsia, and Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus.

BACKGROUND: Emerging zoonotic diseases are an increasing threat to public health. There is little data on the seroprevalence of zoonotic diseases among pastoralists in the country. We aim to carry out a cross-sectional study on the prevalence of major zoonotic diseases among pastoral communities in the Caia and Búzi districts. METHODS: Between January and December 2018, a questionnaire was used to solicit socio-demographic data from consenting pastoralists with the collection of blood samples in the Caia and Búzi districts of the Sofala province. All samples were tested using ELISA commercial reagents for the detection of IgM antibodies against Brucella and Leptospira. Likewise, IgM and IgG antibodies against Rickettsia and CCHFV were determined using ELISA kits. RESULTS: A total of 218 samples were tested, of which 43.5% (95/218) were from the district of Caia and 56.4% (123/218) from the Búzi district. Results from both districts showed that the seroprevalence of IgM antibodies against Brucella and Leptospira was 2.7% (6/218) and 30.3% (67/218), respectively. Positivity rates for IgM and IgG anti-Rickettsia and CCHFV were 8.7% (19/218), 2.7% (6/218), 4.1% (9/218), and 0.9% (2/218), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Results from our study showed evidence of antibodies due to exposure to Brucella, Leptospira, Rickettsia, and CCHFV with antibodies against Leptospira and Rickettsia being the most prevalent. Hence, laboratory diagnosis of zoonotic diseases is essential in the early detection of outbreaks, the identification of silent transmission, and the etiology of non-febrile illness in a pastoral community. There is a need to develop public health interventions that will reduce the risk of transmission.

A narrative review on Rotavirus A in Mozambique

Introduction: Rotavirus A (RVA) is a leading cause of acute infant gastroenteritis in Mozambique, responsible for approximately 13,000 annual infant deaths in peri-urban and other areas. Aim: the present review aimed summarize the most relevant and recent literature regarding RVA infection in Mozambique. Methods: the documents were obtained from electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Scinapse, Scilit, and Microsoft Academicto find the leading scientific publications related to Mozambique's RVA.Findings: The search allowed us to find 20 peer-reviewed journal articles, three official reports, eight abstracts from national conferences, one thesis, and other documents to supplement the information. Rotavirus frequency ranged between 24 to 42.4%, 34.8% attributable to Mozambique. Most data are hospital-based from Maputo, Sofala, Zambézia, and Nampula provinces. Nampula province shows the highest number of cases. Thus, there might be some bias on the geographical distribution of the virus. The prevalence is high in children less than one year. Regarding the control, the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) introduced a monovalent vaccine in September 2015 (Rotarix), which positively impacted the reduction of RVA cases. After vaccine introduction, a high diversity of RVA genotypes was observed, with the predominance ofG1P[8] and the emergence of G9P[4],G9P[6], G3P[4]. However, only the whole genome sequence can confirm if it is due to the natural genotypes fluctuation. RVA infection was detected in swine, and a recent analysis reported an RVA strain from children clustered with different animal strains.Conclusion: The scarceyethighly reliable research resourcesallowed scientists to detect RVA G1P[8] and other genotypes, potential animal reservoirs, and to find that RVA is more prevalent during the transition dry-rainy season, and thevirus becomes more frequent when children approach the 11thmonth, to then decline as they age.It is essential to develop studies providing a broad view of RVA reservoirs as part of the strategy to control its dissemination