Trichuriosis is a disease in mammals caused by the whipworms of the genus Trichuris. These worms are known for the high disease burden they cause in humans and domestic animals, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and seasonal variations of Trichuris worms in multimammate rats (Mastomys natalensis). The study was conducted between January and November 2021 in Tanzania, in two regions (Morogoro and Iringa) that differ in their eco-climatic conditions. Removal trapping was conducted using Sherman^® live traps during the rainy and dry seasons. The gastrointestinal tracts of captured rodents were screened for the presence of Trichuris worms, which were identified using morphological keys. A total of 200 M. natalensis rats were collected from each of the regions, with 100 animals in each season. For Morogoro, the overall prevalence of Trichuris worms in M. natalensis was 36% (n = 72), of which 42% (n = 42) and 30% (n = 30) were for the rainy and dry seasons, respectively. For Iringa, the overall prevalence was 65% (n = 130), of which there were 80% (n = 80) and 50% (n = 50) for the rainy and dry seasons, respectively. Trichuris worm infections were significantly higher during the rainy season in Iringa than in Morogoro; however, no significant difference in infections between males and females was noted in either region or season. Other helminths detected were Strongyloides spp., Capillaria spp., Hymenolepis spp. and eggs of a helminth that has yet to be confirmed, possibly an Anoplocephalid species. Since M. natalensis is the most important pest species in sub-Saharan Africa, and is a carrier of several zoonotic helminths, there is a need for improved surveillance of helminths infections in the studied regions, in order to establish strategic control programs to reduce their adverse impacts on health.

Murine (endemic) typhus is a flea-borne infectious disease caused by Rickettsia typhi. The disease transmission cycle has similarities to that of Yersinia pestis causing plague. It is hypothesized that murine typhus is prevalent in areas with plague transmission. This study aims at detection of R. typhi in rodent fleas by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A cross sectional study was carried out in Mbulu district in villages with, and without previous history of plague from November 2018 to February 2019. Sherman® traps were set in forest and agricultural habitats while box traps were set inside houses. Captured rodents were anaesthetized using halothane and fleas were removed from the fur using a hard brush and preserved in 70% ethanol. PCR amplification of the targeted citrate synthase (gltA) gene of R. typhi was done using primers RpCS.877p and RpCS.1258n. 12 (24%) of the DNA from rodent fleas was positive for R. typhi. Of these, 5 (10%) and 2 (4%) were from farms and forests with previous plague history respectively, while 3 (6%) and 2 (4%) were from houses and farms with no previous plague history, respectively. This suggests the prevalence of murine typhus is independent of plague infections. Key words: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), plague, prevalence, Rickettsia typhi, rodents.

Six different brands of energy drinks (EDs) were analyzed to determine the concentration of caffeine in accordance with the information on the package label. Approximately 28.1 milligrams per 100 milliliters (mg/100 ml) of caffeine was present in the Mo energy drink brand, which was nearly 1.5 times the caffeine concentration listed on the product label. The energy drink with the highest caffeine content was Dragon, which contained 30.1 mg/100 ml, or a total of 150.5 mg per 500 ml bottle. Manufacturers of energy drinks (EDs) should accurately list the amount of caffeine and other ingredients on the product label so that consumers know how much of each ingredient they are taking. Taking too much caffeine can be bad for your health.

Campylobacter jejuni is a leading foodborne cause of gastroenteritis, but genomic surveillance remains uneven across Africa. A recent East Africa study combined whole-genome sequencing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing for Campylobacter isolates from humans with diarrhea in Kenya and poultry in Tanzania, showing high sequence-type diversity and substantially higher multidrug resistance in poultry. We extended this regional evidence by analyzing 1,013 publicly available C. jejuni genomes, including 718 African and 295 non-African comparator genomes, with standardized assembly, genotyping, phylogenomics, pangenome reconstruction, antimicrobial resistance, virulence, and mobile-element profiling. African genomes were geographically concentrated but genetically diverse, included globally distributed and regionally enriched lineages, and showed an open pangenome dominated by low-frequency gene families. Resistance and virulence determinants were unevenly distributed by region and lineage. These findings place African C. jejuni diversity within a global evolutionary framework and support expanded, integrated One Health genomic surveillance.

Rodents play an important role in the transmission of zoonotic diseases. This study investigated the prevalence of Leptospira spp. and Bartonella spp. in Mastomys natalensis and its ectoparasites (fleas and mites) in selected villages of Morogoro, Tanzania. Mastomys natalensis were captured live in fallow habitats using Sherman^® traps and anesthetized using Halothane. Blood samples were obtained from the retroorbital sinus Ectoparasites were removed from the fur using a hard brush and preserved in 70 % ethanol. Real time–qPCR was used to detect Leptospira spp. and Bartonella spp. from Mastomys natalensis blood and ectoparasites respectively. The study revealed a relatively larger number of males than females captures. Leptospira spp. was demonstrated in one out of 100 Mastomys natalensis. For Bartonella spp., prevalence of (14 %) was recorded in mites with a higher proportion in mites from adult male Mastomys natalensis than females. Upon Sanger sequencing, four positive samples showed a complete sequence of the ITS gene. Indicating that all samples belonged to Uncultured Bartonella. Low prevalence of Leptospira spp. and a high prevalence of Bartonella spp. was observed in Mastomys natalensis. Further exploration of rodent pathogens is recommended to raise awareness of the role of commensal rodents in disease transmission via their ectoparasites.

Rickettsia and Anaplasma are Gram-negative, nonmotile, obligate intracellular bacteria in the order Rickettsia les. While various studies have been conducted on these threatening pathogens in humans and domestic animals, the potential role of small mammals as reservoir in zoonotic transmission is poorly understood in Tanzania. This study investigated the prevalence and identity of Rickettsia and Anaplasma infecting small mammals captured at wildlife-human interfaces in Iringa and Morogoro, Tanzania. A total of 371 blood samples were analyzed using conventional PCR and DNA fragment sequencing, targeting approximately 424 bp of the 16S rRNA gene for Anaplasma and 383 bp of the citrate synthase ( gltA ) gene for Rickettsia . Anaplasma spp. DNA was detected in 9.7 %, and Rickettsia spp. in 6.74 % of the samples. Rattus rattus exhibited the highest prevalence for both Anaplasma (21.43 %) and Rickettsia (28.57 %). Two Anaplasma species ( A. bovis and A. ovis ) and three Rickettsia species ( R. asembonensis , R. felis and R. typhi ) were confirmed through sequence analysis. This study highlights the presence of Anaplasma and Rickettsia DNA in captured rodents, indicating the potential role of rodents in the maintenance and transmission of these pathogens, especially at wildlife–human interfaces, also reports the presence of R. asembonensis in rodents for the first time in Tanzania.