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Nankam Chimi R, Kouamo J, Simo Kouam MA, Dzousse Fotsac M, Chermapi Dembeng R, Kouengoua Kouengoua AP, Simo Louokdom J, Ngoula F. Toxoplasmosis and Chlamydophilosis in Small Ruminant Farms in Cameroon: Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Perception of Zoonotic Risks of Farmers. Vet Med Int 2024; 2024:2946764. [PMID: 39263372 PMCID: PMC11390209 DOI: 10.1155/2024/2946764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Zoonotic abortive diseases represent a significant health and economic risk for national public health. This cross-sectional survey was conducted from April to October 2021 among 200 selected small ruminant farmers in the three northern regions of Cameroon. Data collection was done through questionnaires administered by exchange with the herder, and responses were coded and recorded on an Excel spreadsheet. The data were then analyzed with R software, version 2.13.0. An ANOVA test was used to assess significant differences in mean of Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Perception of zoonotic risks (KAPP) scores between regions. Pearson correlations were used to calculate the association between KAPP scores within regions. Small ruminant farmers surveyed had low mean scores for knowledge of abortive toxoplasmosis and chlamydophilosis (0.1 ± 0.2), desirable attitude (0.32 ± 0.07), appropriate practice (0.36 ± 0.13) in managing abortion, and positive perception of zoonotic risks of toxoplasmosis and chlamydophilosis in small ruminants (0.12 ± 0.33), respectively. KAPP was significantly (P < 0.01) and positively associated with knowledge (r = 0.98) and risk perception (r = 0.99). However, attitudes (r = 0.06), practices (r = 0.05), and risk perception of toxoplasmosis (r = 0.07) and chlamydophilosis (r = 0.08) were not associated with farmers' knowledge. This study revealed significant knowledge gaps, low levels of desired attitudes, and high-risk behavioral practices. These results therefore call for capacity building of health professionals and farmers to better integrate the One Health concept in the management of neglected zoonotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Nankam Chimi
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Université des Montagnes, P.O. Box 208, Bangangte, Cameroon
- Laboratories of Animal Physiology and Health, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon
| | - Justin Kouamo
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, The University of Ngaoundere, P.O. Box 454, Ngaoundere, Cameroon
| | - Michel Alain Simo Kouam
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Université des Montagnes, P.O. Box 208, Bangangte, Cameroon
| | - Muller Dzousse Fotsac
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Université des Montagnes, P.O. Box 208, Bangangte, Cameroon
| | - Raphael Chermapi Dembeng
- Laboratories of Animal Physiology and Health, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon
| | | | - Josué Simo Louokdom
- Pharmacy Division, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Université des Montagnes, P.O. Box 208, Bangangte, Cameroon
| | - Ferdinand Ngoula
- Laboratories of Animal Physiology and Health, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon
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Szymańska-Czerwińska M, Zaręba-Marchewka K, Niemczuk K. New insight on chlamydiae. J Vet Res 2023; 67:559-565. [PMID: 38130448 PMCID: PMC10730554 DOI: 10.2478/jvetres-2023-0067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
This article provides an overview of the current knowledge on chlamydiae, which are intracellular bacteria belonging to the Chlamydiaceae family. Whole-genome sequencing leads to great increases in the available data about Chlamydia spp. Recently, novel chlamydial taxons in various hosts living in different environments have been recognised. New species and taxons with Candidatus status have been recorded mainly in birds and reptiles. Chlamydia gallinacea is an emerging infectious agent in poultry with indirectly confirmed zoonotic potential. Recently, a new group of avian C. abortus strains with worldwide distribution in various wild bird families has been described. The definition of C. abortus species became outdated with the discovery of these strains and has been amended. It now includes two subgroups, mammalian and avian, the latter including all isolates hitherto referred to as atypical C. psittaci or C. psittaci/C. abortus intermediates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Szymańska-Czerwińska
- Department of Cattle and Sheep Diseases, Puławy, Poland
- Laboratory of Serological Diagnosis, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100Puławy, Poland
| | | | - Krzysztof Niemczuk
- Department of Cattle and Sheep Diseases, Puławy, Poland
- Laboratory of Serological Diagnosis, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100Puławy, Poland
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