Risk factors associated with the occurrence of Brucella canis seropositivity in dogs within selected provinces of South Africa

Abstract

The growing population of free-roaming dogs in informal communities in South Africa may increasingly place humans at risk of possible zoonotic infections including, but not limited to, Brucella canis. Worldwide, the prevalence of B. canis infection has increased during the last two centuries, resulting in increased reports of dog and human infections. This study investigated the risk factors associated with B. canis infection in dogs in three predefined areas: Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces, of South Africa. Dogs aged 7 months and older presented to welfare organisations and breeders in the study areas were selected for sampling. A comprehensive questionnaire on dog ownership, general health and vaccination status was completed prior to sampling. One blood sample of 8 mL was collected aseptically per dog. Then, equal amounts (4 mL) were transferred to the different vacutainer tubes. The 2-mercaptoethanol-tube agglutination tests were used after validation. Fifty-two dogs out of the combined sample of 1191 dogs from the three study areas tested positive for B. canis, representing an overall occurrence of 4.4%. A binomial logistic regression model was fitted to identify risk factors associated with B. canis in dogs within the study areas. Dog age (0.371; p < 0.05) and external parasite infestation (0.311; p < 0.05) were significantly associated with the B. canis infection. Ownership and sterilisation need to be further investigated as possible risk factors because both had odds ratios of 1684 and 1107, respectively, in the univariate model.

Detection of Brucella Antibodies in Dogs From Rural Regions of Hamedan, Iran

“…Generally female dogs pose a greater risk to humans as Brucella organisms are shed in the birth fluids and vaginal discharges (31). However, similar to previous findings, no significant correlation was observed between the development of infection and gender of dogs (16,25,30), showing that both sexes appear to be equally susceptible (31,34).…”

“…In this study, no statistical correlation was found between the age of dogs and seropositivity. Conversely, in previous studies (25,30,31), higher seroprevalences were detected in older dogs which could be due to the fact that an increase in age of dogs has a direct relationship with the probability…”

“…Moreover, in Kerman province, seropositivity to B. canis was detected 15.8% using an immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) test kit (MegaFLUO ® BRUCELLA canis, Megakor, Austria) (16). This rate was 20.9% in São Paulo, Brazil (using blood culture method), 4.9% in Mississippi, USA (using rapid serology method), and 4.4% in South Africa (using 2-mercaptoethanol-tube agglutination test) (5,6,31). Regarding the fact that rapid diagnostic kits and IFA slides for B. canis are not imported to Iran regularly, it is suggested that Iranian researchers focus on the domestic production of such diagnostic kits.…”

Prevalence and Predictors of Antimicrobial Resistance Among Enterococcus spp. From Dogs Presented at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital, South Africa

“…Residents of Gauteng province keep dogs for various reason that include: for personal security, as companions, and to keep feral cats away from their compounds ( 34 , 35 ). Oosthuizen et al ( 36 ) observed that 28% of the dogs in selected provinces of South Africa that included Gauteng Province, were stray dogs while 72% had owners. This notwithstanding, keeping dogs is regulated by city by-laws.…”

Seroprevalencia de Brucella canis en perros de un refugio para animales de compañía en Bogotá, Colombia

“…Además de la sensibilidad de la técnica diagnóstica, puede haber otros factores asociados con la presencia de animales seronegativos en la población de estudio. Aspectos como la castración del 86,3 % de los animales y la consiguiente ausencia de prácticas reproductivas, pudieron contribuir a minimizar el riesgo de contagio (51,52).…”