Exploring pathogenic and zoonotic bacteria from wild rodents, dogs, and humans of the Ngorongoro district in Tanzania using metagenomics next-generation sequencing
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Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
Globally, zoonoses have serious consequences due to their socioeconomic impacts. Ngoron-
goro District is home to a diverse range of wildlife and domestic animals, including rodents and
dogs, which often coexist in close proximity with humans. The aim of the study was to identify
the zoonotic bacteria present in wild rodents, domestic dogs, and humans using metagenomics
next-generation sequencing technology. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022. This study
used both Illumina and Oxford Nanopore sequencing technologies to identify bacteria in 530 blood
samples collected from humans (n = 200), wild rodents (n = 230), and dogs (n = 100). Several zoonotic
airborne/contagious bacteria, including Mycobacterium spp., Mycoplasma spp., Bordetella spp., and
Legionella spp., were detected in wild rodents, domestic dogs, and humans. Arthropod-borne zoonotic
bacteria such as Bartonella spp., Borrelia spp., and Rickettsia spp. were detected in all three hosts, while
Orientia spp. was found in wild rodents and domestic dogs. Yersinia pestis, Streptobacillus spp. and
Anaplasma spp. were found only in wild rodents. Other zoonotic bacteria found shared among wild
rodents, domestic dogs, and humans are Leptospira spp., Brucella spp., and Salmonella spp. Generally,
wild rodents had the highest prevalence of zoonotic bacterial species when compared to domestic
dogs and humans. The detection of zoonotic bacteria in rodents, dogs, and humans supports the
hypothesis that infections can spread between animals and humans sharing the same environment.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Integrated disease surveillance, Arthropod-borne zoonoses, Airborne zoonoses, Rodent-borne diseases, Domestic dogs, Humans, Ngorongoro District, Tanzania