Endemicity of Coxiella burnetii infection among people and their livestock in pastoral communities in northern Kenya

• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11133
• Publication Date: 2022-10-21T17:48:17Z
• Authors: Josphat Muema; Mutono Nyamai; Nick Wheelhouse; Joseph Njuguna; Christine Jost; Julius Oyugi; Zipporah Bukania; Harriet Oboge; Brian Ogoti; Anita Makori; Maria del Pilar F...; Sylvia Omulo; S.M. Thumbi
• Keywords: Coxiella burnetii; Q fever; Pastoralism

Coxiella burnetti can be transmitted to humans primarily through inhaling contaminated droplets released from infected animals or consumption of dairy products. Despite its zoonotic nature and the close association pastoralist communities have with their livestock, studies reporting simultaneous assessment C. exposure risk-factors among people livestock are scarce.This study therefore estimated seroprevalence Q-fever associated risk factors in livestock.We conducted a cross-sectional Marsabit County northern Kenya. A total 1,074 women 225 children were enrolled provided blood samples for testing. Additionally, 1,876 goats, 322 sheep 189 camels same households sampled. structured questionnaire was administered collect individual- household/herd-level data. Indirect IgG ELISA kits used test samples.Household-level seropositivity 13.2% [95% CI: 11.2-15.3]; differences levels statistically insignificant (p = 0.8531). Lactating had higher odds exposure, ratio (OR) 2.4 [1.3-5.3], while increased age OR 1.1 [1.0-1.1]. Herd-level 83.7% [81.7-85.6]. Seropositivity goats 74.7% [72.7-76.7], that 56.8% [51.2-62.3] 38.6% [31.6-45.9], respectively. Goats 5.4 [3.7-7.3] 2.6 [1.8-3.4], respectively relative camels. There no significant between nutrition status women, p 0.900 children, 1.000. We found at household level 0.724) despite high animal levels, suggesting may occurring scale larger than households.The one health approach this revealed is endemic setting. Longitudinal burden simultaneously assessed human populations as well socioeconomic impacts disease further explore role environmental epidemiology required. Such evidence form basis designing prevention control strategies.