20 research outputs found
The impact of poverty on dog ownership and access to canine rabies vaccination: results from a knowledge, attitudes and practices survey, Uganda 2013
Background: Rabies is a neglected disease despite being responsible for more human deaths than any other zoonosis. A lack of adequate human and dog surveillance, resulting in low prioritization, is often blamed for this paradox. Estimation methods are often employed to describe the rabies burden when surveillance data are not available, however these figures are rarely based on country-specific data.
Methods: In 2013 a knowledge, attitudes, and practices survey was conducted in Uganda to understand dog population, rabies vaccination, and human rabies risk factors and improve in-country and regional rabies burden estimates. Poisson and multi-level logistic regression techniques were conducted to estimate the total dog population and vaccination coverage.
Results: Twenty-four villages were selected, of which 798 households completed the survey, representing 4 375 people. Dog owning households represented 12.9% of the population, for which 175 dogs were owned (25 people per dog). A history of vaccination was reported in 55.6% of owned dogs. Poverty and human population density highly correlated with dog ownership, and when accounted for in multi-level regression models, the human to dog ratio fell to 47:1 and the estimated national canine-rabies vaccination coverage fell to 36.1%. This study estimates there are 729 486 owned dogs in Uganda (95% CI: 719 919 – 739 053). Ten percent of survey respondents provided care to dogs they did not own, however unowned dog populations were not enumerated in this estimate. 89.8% of Uganda’s human population was estimated to reside in a community that can support enzootic canine rabies transmission.
Conclusions: This study is the first to comprehensively evaluate the effect of poverty on dog ownership in Africa. These results indicate that describing a dog population may not be as simple as applying a human: dog ratio, and factors such as poverty are likely to heavily influence dog ownership and vaccination coverage. These modelled estimates should be confirmed through further field studies, however, if validated, canine rabies elimination through mass vaccination may not be as difficult as previously considered in Uganda. Data derived from this study should be considered to improve models for estimating the in-country and regional rabies burden
Detection of Some Lyssaviruses from Fruigivorous and Insectivorous Bats in Nigeria
We report the first evidence of Shimoni bat virus (SHBV) and the detection of Lagos bat virus (LBV)and Mokola virus (MOKV) in bats from Nigeria. In total, 356 bats representing 7 genera and 8 species, collected in 8 locations of northern Nigeria. None of the 356 bat brains screened by direct fluorescent antibody (DFAT) test were positive for <i>lyssavirus</i> antigens. Of the 76 sera screened by modified rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT) 24 (31.6%) had neutralizing activity; 22(29.0%) neutralized LBV, 6(7.9%) neutralized MOKV and 18(23.7%) neutralized SHBV). Lyssaviruses may be circulating in bats or other wild animals in Nigeria
Factors influencing canine rabies vaccination among dog-owning households in Nigeria
Rabies perpetuates in Nigeria despite initiatives like the Regional Disease Surveillance System Enhancement Project, with evidence indicating suboptimal canine vaccination rates as a contributing factor. To inform effective planning of mass dog vaccination campaigns, it is crucial to understand the factors associated with variation in canine vaccination rates. We conducted a cross-sectional study in 2022 to understand factors associated with canine vaccination. We used stratified random sampling of the streets and dog-owning households to survey 4162 households from three states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). We then built a joint probabilistic model to understand factors associated with dog vaccination and non-vaccination. First, we modelled rabies knowledge as a latent variable indirectly measured with several targeted survey questions. This method allowed a respondent's unobserved understanding of rabies to be estimated using their responses to a collection of survey questions that targeted different aspects of rabies epidemiology and took various possible response distributions (i.e., ordinal, categorical, binary). Second, we modelled factors influencing pet owners' decisions to vaccinate their dogs against rabies and barriers to dog vaccination among dog owners whose dogs were not vaccinated against rabies. Posterior distributions revealed that the probability of dog vaccination was positively associated with the owner's latent knowledge of rabies, civil servant service employment, residence in the FCT, ownership of a single dog, providing care to dogs, and a preference for contemporary treatment following a dog bite. Conversely, non-vaccination was positively associated with private employment, residing in Anambra and Enugu states, owning multiple dogs, allowing dogs to search for leftovers, and a preference for traditional treatment after a dog bite. Cost was the primary barrier against vaccination for dog owners in Anambra and Enugu, while mistrust posed a major challenge for those in the FCT. Owners in areas with veterinary establishments cited cost as a barrier, while those without a veterinary establishment cited access as the primary barrier. Our study underscores the need to enhance rabies knowledge, tailor vaccination campaigns to specific demographics, address financial and access barriers, and combat hesitancy to improve rabies vaccination rates in Nigeria
Detection of Some Lyssaviruses from Fruigivorous and Insectivorous Bats in Nigeria
We report the first evidence of Shimoni bat virus (SHBV) and the detection of Lagos bat virus (LBV)and Mokola virus (MOKV) in bats from Nigeria. In total, 356 bats representing 7 genera and 8 species, collected in 8 locations of northern Nigeria. None of the 356 bat brains screened by direct fluorescent antibody (DFAT) test were positive for <i>lyssavirus</i> antigens. Of the 76 sera screened by modified rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT) 24 (31.6%) had neutralizing activity; 22(29.0%) neutralized LBV, 6(7.9%) neutralized MOKV and 18(23.7%) neutralized SHBV). Lyssaviruses may be circulating in bats or other wild animals in Nigeria
Rabies post-exposure healthcare-seeking behaviors and perceptions: Results from a knowledge, attitudes, and practices survey, Uganda, 2013.
BackgroundRabies is a viral disease of animals and people causing fatal encephalomyelitis if left untreated. Although effective pre- and post-exposure vaccines exist, they are not widely available in many endemic countries within Africa. Since many individuals in these countries remain at risk of infection, post-exposure healthcare-seeking behaviors are crucial in preventing infection and warrant examination.MethodologyA rabies knowledge, attitudes, and practices survey was conducted at 24 geographically diverse sites in Uganda during 2013 to capture information on knowledge concerning the disease, response to potential exposure events, and vaccination practices. Characteristics of the surveyed population and of the canine-bite victim sub-population were described. Post-exposure healthcare-seeking behaviors of canine-bite victims were examined and compared to the related healthcare-seeking attitudes of non-bite victim respondents. Wealth scores were calculated for each household, rabies knowledge was scored for each non-bitten survey respondent, and rabies exposure risk was scored for each bite victim. Logistic regression was used to determine the independent associations between different variables and healthcare-seeking behaviors among canine-bite victims as well as attitudes of non-bitten study respondents.ResultsA total of 798 households were interviewed, capturing 100 canine-bite victims and a bite incidence of 2.3 per 100 person-years. Over half of bite victims actively sought medical treatment (56%), though very few received rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (3%). Bite victims who did not know or report the closest location where PEP could be received were less likely to seek medical care (p = 0.05). Respondents who did not report having been bitten by a dog with higher knowledge scores were more likely to respond that they would both seek medical care (p = 0.00) and receive PEP (p = 0.06) after a potential rabies exposure event.ConclusionsThere was varying discordance between what respondents who did not report having been bitten by a dog said they would do if bitten by a dog when compared to the behaviors exhibited by canine-bite victims captured in the KAP survey. Bite victims seldom elected to wash their wound or receive PEP. Having lower rabies knowledge was a barrier to theoretically seeking care and receiving PEP among not bitten respondents, indicating a need for effective and robust educational programs in the country
The health impact of rabies in Haiti and recent developments on the path toward elimination, 2010–2015
Haiti, a Caribbean country of 10.5 million people, is estimated to have the highest burden of caninemediated
human rabies deaths in the Western Hemisphere, and one of the highest rates of human rabies deaths in the
world. Haiti is also the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and has numerous economic and health priorities that
compete for rabies-control resources. As a result, primary rabies-control actions, including canine vaccination programs,
surveillance systems for human and animal rabies, and appropriate postbite treatment, have not been fully implemented
at a national scale. After the 2010 earthquake that further hindered the development of public health program infrastructure
and services, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention worked with the Ministry of Public Health
and Population and key health development partners (including the Pan-American Health Organization) to provide
technical expertise and funding for general disease surveillance systems, laboratory capacity, and selected disease
control programs; including rabies. In 2011, a cross-ministerial rabies consortium was convened with participation from
multiple international rabies experts to develop a strategy for successful rabies control in Haiti. The consortium focused on
seven pillars: 1) enhancement of laboratory diagnostic capacity, 2) development of comprehensive animal surveillance
system, 3) development of comprehensive human rabies surveillance system, 4) educational outreach, 5) sustainable
human rabies biologics supply, 6) achievement of sustained canine vaccination rates of ³ 70%, and 7) finalization of a
national rabies control strategy. From 2010 until 2015, Haiti has seen improvements in the program infrastructure for
canine rabies control. The greatest improvements were seen in the area of animal rabies surveillance, in support of which
an internationally recognized rabies laboratory was developed thereby leading to an 18-fold increase in the detection of
rabid animals. Canine rabies vaccination practices also improved, from a 2010 level of approximately 12% to a 2015 dog
population coverage level estimated to be 45%. Rabies vaccine coverage is still below the goal of 70%, however, the
positive trend is encouraging. Gaps exist in the capacity to conduct national surveillance for human rabies cases and
access to human rabies vaccine is lacking in many parts of the country. However, control has improved over the past
5 years as a result of the efforts of Haiti’s health and agriculture sectors with assistance from multiple international
organizations. Haiti is well situated to eliminate canine-mediated human rabies deaths in the near future and should serve
as a great example to many developing countries struggling with similar barriers and limitations.http://www.ajtmh.orgam2017Microbiology and Plant Patholog
Human Exposure to Novel Bartonella Species from Contact with Fruit Bats
Twice a year in southwestern Nigeria, during a traditional bat festival, community participants enter designated caves to capture bats, which are then consumed for food or traded. We investigated the presence of Bartonella species in Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) and bat flies (Eucampsipoda africana) from these caves and assessed whether Bartonella infections had occurred in persons from the surrounding communities. Our results indicate that these bats and flies harbor Bartonella strains, which multilocus sequence typing indicated probably represent a novel Bartonella species, proposed as Bartonella rousetti. In serum from 8 of 204 persons, we detected antibodies to B. rousetti without cross-reactivity to other Bartonella species. This work suggests that bat-associated Bartonella strains might be capable of infecting humans
The Health Impact of Rabies in Haiti and Recent Developments on the Path Toward Elimination, 2010–2015
Haiti, a Caribbean country of 10.5 million people, is estimated to have the highest burden of caninemediated
human rabies deaths in the Western Hemisphere, and one of the highest rates of human rabies deaths in the
world. Haiti is also the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and has numerous economic and health priorities that
compete for rabies-control resources. As a result, primary rabies-control actions, including canine vaccination programs,
surveillance systems for human and animal rabies, and appropriate postbite treatment, have not been fully implemented
at a national scale. After the 2010 earthquake that further hindered the development of public health program infrastructure
and services, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention worked with the Ministry of Public Health
and Population and key health development partners (including the Pan-American Health Organization) to provide
technical expertise and funding for general disease surveillance systems, laboratory capacity, and selected disease
control programs; including rabies. In 2011, a cross-ministerial rabies consortium was convened with participation from
multiple international rabies experts to develop a strategy for successful rabies control in Haiti. The consortium focused on
seven pillars: 1) enhancement of laboratory diagnostic capacity, 2) development of comprehensive animal surveillance
system, 3) development of comprehensive human rabies surveillance system, 4) educational outreach, 5) sustainable
human rabies biologics supply, 6) achievement of sustained canine vaccination rates of ³ 70%, and 7) finalization of a
national rabies control strategy. From 2010 until 2015, Haiti has seen improvements in the program infrastructure for
canine rabies control. The greatest improvements were seen in the area of animal rabies surveillance, in support of which
an internationally recognized rabies laboratory was developed thereby leading to an 18-fold increase in the detection of
rabid animals. Canine rabies vaccination practices also improved, from a 2010 level of approximately 12% to a 2015 dog
population coverage level estimated to be 45%. Rabies vaccine coverage is still below the goal of 70%, however, the
positive trend is encouraging. Gaps exist in the capacity to conduct national surveillance for human rabies cases and
access to human rabies vaccine is lacking in many parts of the country. However, control has improved over the past
5 years as a result of the efforts of Haiti’s health and agriculture sectors with assistance from multiple international
organizations. Haiti is well situated to eliminate canine-mediated human rabies deaths in the near future and should serve
as a great example to many developing countries struggling with similar barriers and limitations.http://www.ajtmh.orgam2017Microbiology and Plant Patholog
Development and characterization of novel chimeric monoclonal antibodies for broad spectrum neutralization of rabies virus
<div><p>Current post-exposure prophylaxis for rabies virus infection has several limitations in terms of supply, cost, safety, and efficacy. Attempts to replace human or equine rabies immune globulins (HRIG or ERIG) have been made by several companies and institutes. We developed potent monoclonal antibodies to neutralize a broad spectrum of rabies viruses by screening hybridomas received from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Two kinds of chimeric human antibodies (chimeric #7 and #17) were constructed by cloning the variable regions from selected hybridomas and the constant region of a human antibody. Two antibodies were bound to antigenic site III and I/IV, respectively, and were able to neutralize 51 field isolates of rabies virus that were isolated at different times and places such as Asia, Africa, North America, South America, and Australia. These two antibodies neutralize rabies viruses with high efficacy in an <i>in vivo</i> test using Syrian hamster and mouse models and show low risk for adverse immunogenicity.</p></div
Epitope mapping study by SPR assay.
<p>SPR experiments were performed by injecting chimeric MAbs #7 and #17 (1 μM). The time in seconds (x-axis) is plotted against the RU (y-axis). RU levels are indicated for each injected antibody. (a) Injection order: chimeric MAb #17 -> #7. (b) Injection order: chimeric MAb#7 -> #17.</p