Scoping review of brucellosis in Cameroon: Where do we stand, and where are we going?

Abstract

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease known to be endemic to parts of western and sub-Saharan Africa. However, the epidemiology for humans and animals remains largely unknown in many of these countries with Cameroon being a typical example. Despite common knowledge that brucellosis affects livestock, the actual number of infected animals remains unknown. Through a scoping review, the current known status of the disease is described. The aim is to ascertain relevant and publicly accessible research and knowledge of human and animal brucellosis in the country, and to provide an overview of the factors associated with its known persistence. Seroprevalence has been estimated and published in 12 separate instances (1 human; 9 cattle; 1 human and cattle; and 1 that includes cattle, pigs, and small ruminants), between 1982 and 2020, in 9 of the country's 10 geopolitical regions. In 1983, Brucella abortus and B. melitensis were isolated in cattle, but no further bacterial isolation has been published since. The seroprevalence from 196 total humans has ranged between 5.6% and 28.1%, and between 3.0% and 30.8% for 14,044 total cattle. As there is no ongoing surveillance program, it is not currently possible to identify the specific Brucella spp. that are endemic to the country and its regions. There are sufficient agricultural systems of cattle, pigs, goats, and sheep to sustain the presence of multiple Brucella spp. Surveillance information is the cornerstone of epidemiologic decision making, and is needed to direct policy makers, public health authorities, and veterinary services to appropriate actions. A combination of serological and molecular based diagnostics for surveillance is necessary to identify, quantify, and direct the appropriate public health interventions. Cameroon has an opportunity to build public and animal health infrastructure, leading the way for central Africa in the management and future eradication of brucellosis.

Human brucellosis: Widespread information deficiency hinders an understanding of global disease frequency

“…This aspect is evident as many individual countries not only report sporadically, but also have great variability in their RCCs ( S2 File ). It is well known that brucellosis diagnostics and surveillance activities are complex and challenging to achieve, especially in resource-limited settings [ 12 , 27 – 30 ]. These complexities may be highly significant component causes of worldwide underreporting [ 12 , 27 – 30 ].…”

“…It is well known that brucellosis diagnostics and surveillance activities are complex and challenging to achieve, especially in resource-limited settings [ 12 , 27 – 30 ]. These complexities may be highly significant component causes of worldwide underreporting [ 12 , 27 – 30 ]. This is attributed to several factors.…”

“…Furthermore, proper storage of the data and reporting the findings to the respective authorities is essential. Reporting cases requires a full range of critical infrastructure [ 12 , 29 , 30 ], while resource-limited settings are less likely to be able to support this infrastructure. Finally, there should be an incentive to report.…”

“…Unfortunately, due to the withdrawal of international prioritization, populations afflicted by brucellosis are currently required to fund their own integrated multiphase responses. Furthermore, adequate transportation, education, energy, communications, government facilities, healthcare and public health, information technology, and financial services, as well as continuous interdisciplinary cooperation are fundamental systems necessary for building and sustaining surveillance infrastructure [ 12 , 29 , 30 ].…”

Seroprevalence of <i>Brucella</i> Antibodies and Risk Factors Associated with Human Brucellosis in High-Risk Occupational Groups of the Noun Division in the West Region of Cameroon

“…Data already generated on the seroprevalence of Brucella antibodies in animals indicate the risk of human brucellosis in many sub-Saharan countries. In Cameroon, little investigations have been undertaken on humans' brucellosis [23]. Investigations performed on abattoir workers of the Adamawa and East regions of Cameroon reported a seroprevalence of Brucella antibodies of 12.15% and 28.10% respectively [24] [25].…”