A large seroprevalence survey of brucellosis in cattle herds under diverse production systems in northern Nigeria

Abstract

BackgroundThis study was carried out to investigate the status of brucellosis in cattle under various management systems in Adamawa, Kaduna and Kano states, northern Nigeria. Using multi-stage sampling, serum samples of 4,745 cattle from 271 herds were tested using the Rose-Bengal plate-agglutination test (RBPT) and positives were confirmed using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA).ResultsPrevalence estimates were calculated by adjusting for sampling weights and where possible for test sensitivity and specificity. Thirty-seven percent of all animals were RBPT positive, and after confirmation with c-ELISA the overall animal-level prevalence, adjusted for sampling weights, was 26.3% (95% CI, 22.1%-31.0%). Of the herds sampled, 210 (77.5%; 95% CI, 68.6%-84.5%) had at least one animal positive to both tests; this did not differ significantly between states (P = 0.538). Mean within-herd seroprevalence in positive herds was 30.2% (95% CI, 25.3%-35.1%) and ranged from 3.1% to 85.7%. Overall animal-level seroprevalences of 29.2% (95% CI, 22.5%-36.9%) n = 1,827, 23.3% (95% CI, 18.9%-28.3%) n = 1,870 and 26.7% (95% CI, 18.8%-36.7%) n = 1,048 were observed in Adamawa, Kaduna and Kano states, respectively (P = 0.496). A significantly higher seroprevalence was found in males (38.2%; 95% CI, 31.7%-45.2%) than in females (24.7%; 95% CI, 20.4%-29.5%) (P < 0.001) and in non-pregnant females (27.8%; 95% CI, 22.9%-33.5%) than in pregnant females (17.2%; 95% CI, 13.6%-21.5%) (P < 0.001). Seroprevalence increased with increasing age (P < 0.001), from 13.5% (95% CI, 8.9%-19.9%) in cattle <4 years to 35.0% (95% CI, 28.5%-42.3%) in cattle >7 years. Seroprevalence also varied between management systems (P < 0.001): pastoral systems 45.1% (95% CI, 38.6%-51.9%), zero-grazing systems 23.8% (95% CI, 6.8%-59.2%), agro-pastoral systems 22.0% (95% CI, 17.3%-27.8%), and commercial farms 15.9% (95% CI, 9.5%-25.5%). Seroprevalence did not differ significantly between breeds or lactation status.ConclusionThis is the first large study to assess the prevalence of bovine brucellosis over a wide geographic area of northern Nigeria, in a variety of management systems and using accurate tests. The seroprevalence of brucellosis was high, and higher than results of previous studies in northern Nigeria. The pastoral management systems of the traditional Fulanis may be encouraging the dissemination of the disease. Public enlightenment of the farmers about the disease, vaccination and appropriate national control measures are recommended.

Spatial distribution of Brucella antibodies with reference to indigenous cattle populations among contrasting agro-ecological zones of Uganda

“…This agrees with previous studies (McDermott and Arimi, 2002;Faye et al, 2005;Berhe et al, 2007;Magona et al, 2009;Mai et al, 2012) which revealed that the occurrence of brucellosis seropositivity increases with advancing age. This is attributed to the fact that pastoralists keep cattle for long periods sometimes beyond their economic value.…”

Seroprevalence Study of Brucella Infection in and around Rewa District, India

“…No.of serum samples The results are in accordance with Mai et al, (2012) where they tested 4745 samples by RBPT out of which 1735 (36.6%) were positive for Brucellosis. Out of 1735, 1137 (65.5%) were confirmed to be seropositive for brucellosis upon further testing by c-ELISA.…”

Seroprevalence of Rift Valley Fever, Q Fever, and Brucellosis in Ruminants on the Southeastern Shore of Lake Chad

“…However, contemporary assessments indicate a lower prevalence than that presented by Akakpo. Serological evidence of its existence has been demonstrated in many studies in sub-Saharan countries like Côte d'Ivoire (Sanogo et al 2013), Uganda (Kashiwazaki et al 2012), Ethiopia (Asmare et al 2013), and Togo (Dean et al 2013), and in particular some neighboring countries to Chad, notably from the southwest where the study area borders Nigeria (Alausa et al 1976, Bertu et al 2012, Mai et al 2012.…”