Investigation of Brucellosis Using Molecular and Serological Tools in Selected Sites of Maekel Region, Eritrea

Abstract

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease primarily affecting animals and accidentally exposed humans. In Eritrea, brucellosis endemicity is proven by several sero-prevalence studies in domestic animals and occupationally exposed humans. However, there is a gap of information on the commonly occurring brucella species and cause of human/animal brucellosis. The objective of this study is to identify brucella species in sheep and goats which possibly pose risk to human brucellosis. Out of a total 71 serum and 71 vaginal swab samples collected from sheep and goats, eight serum samples by Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and 4 vaginal swabs by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were found positive for brucellosis. Combinatorial PCR detected Br. melitensis from the four PCR positive samples. Questionnaire interviews collected from 68 confirmed brucellosis patients showed that habits of drinking unpasteurized yoghurt and raw milk and handling of aborted materials were common. This investigation study suggests, Br. melitensis could be the major cause of brucellosis in humans and animals in Maekel region Eritrea. Therefore, a large-scale epidemiological study is recommended to confirm the true extent of the problem in animals and humans.

Isolation and identification of <i>Brucella abortus</i> and <i>B. melitensis</i> in ruminants with a history of abortion: the first report from Eritrea

“…Five of the six Brucella isolates were identified as B. melitensis and one B. abortus using the AMOS-PCR method. The current result is in agreement with the recent finding in the same study area (Bereket et al, 2021), who detected B. melitensis DNA from a vaginal swab of goats with a history of abortion using the duplex PCR method. It is important to note that in the current study, B. melitensis was isolated from the placental cotyledon of cattle.…”

“…On the other hand, in the previous studies, blood sera were collected from all animals; in most cases, random sampling was employed. Researchers who targeted Brucella-suspected goats in the Maekel region reported a comparable result (14.60%) to the present study (Bereket et al, 2021).…”

“…The presence of Brucella in Eritrea was first reported in 1943 (Cilli and Andolfato, 1943), and the pathogen persists both in livestock and human populations (Efrem et al, 2023;Efrem et al, 2022;Scacchia et al, 2013;Omer et al, 2002;Omer et al, 2000;). All Brucella reports in Eritrea were based on indirect evidence generated through serology, except the study (Bereket et al, 2021), which provided genetic evidence based on the PCR method. The present study was initiated to isolate and identify Brucella species that infect ruminants in the administrative regions of Maekel, Debub, Anseba, and the Northern Red Sea (NRS) of Eritrea.…”

Seroprevalence of Brucellosis, Knowledge, and Risky Practices in Dairy Cattle Owners and Workers in Maekel and Debub Regions, Eritrea

“…11 Fragmented clinical reports, laboratory diagnostic results, and serological tests in livestock owners also indicate the presence of brucellosis in humans in different areas of the county. 12,13 However, there is lack of data on the level of knowledge and practices in different farming systems, including in the dairy-cattle-rearing community.…”

Prevalence of brucellosis and associated risk factors in dairy cattle in Maekel and Debub Regions, Eritrea

“…Further, Samson (19) recorded individual and herd level sero-prevalence of around 3 and 2%, respectively, in dairy farms in Berik sub-region of Maekel region. In addition, several clinical reports and laboratory diagnostic results have indicated the presence of brucellosis in different localities in the county (20,21).…”