Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Bovine Brucellosis in District Gujranwala, Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Bovine brucellosis is a contagious zoonotic disease that causes economic losses through abortion and infertility. A cross-sectional study was designed to determine the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of bovine brucellosis in district Gujranwala of Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 220 bovine sera (112 from buffaloes, 108 from cattle) from 46 unvaccinated herds were collected. Parallel testing by the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and Indirect Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (I-ELISA) showed a 58.7% (27/46) herd-level and 22.7% (50/220) animal-level seroprevalence. Seroprevalence was higher (p < 0.001, OR = 7.62) in adult animals (37.2%) compared to younger animals (4.9%). A herd size of >10 animals (p = 0.021, OR = 7.83), less housing space (p = 0.037, OR = 6.39) and history of abortion at the farm (p = 0.023, OR = 5.6) were found as risk factors associated with the seropositivity of brucellosis. There was a substantial agreement between the RBPT and I-ELISA results (Cohen’s kappa coefficient (κ) = 64.16, percent agreement = 89.5%). In conclusion, a relatively higher seroprevalence was found compared to the previous reports from the country. Standardization and validation of the advanced diagnostic tests would be needed. Biosecurity, personal protection, quarantine measures and routine screening of animals at the farm level and disease awareness programs and consumption of pasteurized milk in the human population will be helpful in preventing the transmission/zoonosis of the disease.

A study on the epidemiology of brucellosis in bovine population of peri-urban and rural areas of district Multan, southern Punjab, Pakistan

“…A non-significant association of gender with prevalence of brucellosis was observed in bovine population of study area. In agreement to our findings, Sima et al [ 51 ] and Khan et al [ 46 ] also reported a non-significant difference in gender-wise prevalence of brucellosis in large ruminants. Conversely, a significant association had also been reported between animal sex and brucellosis with predominantly higher prevalence rates in females [ 53 , 56 ].…”

“…In our study, analysis revealed that the association of different age groups with prevalence of brucellosis in large ruminants was non-significant. Our findings are in agreement with those of Sima et al [ 51 ] and Jamil et al [ 26 ] but contrary to some other previous studies [ 27 , 46 , 53 , 54 ]. The variation in findings of different studies might also be due to non-uniformity in categorization of animals in different age groups.…”

“…However, Ali et al [ 45 ]. and Khan et al [ 46 ]. reported 18.6% and 58.7% herd-based prevalence rates of bovine brucellosis in the Potohar Plateau and Gujranwala districts of Pakistan, respectively.…”

Perspectives of economic losses due to condemnation of cattle and buffalo carcasses in the northern region of Brazil

“…Brucellosis was one of the main causes of condemnation in cattle, also evidenced to a lesser extent, cases of condemnation in buffaloes [ 30 ]. This disease has been reported in several countries [ 31 – 35 ], with the main means of contamination in cattle, the digestive, as well as it is contracted during the breeding period, both by natural mating, but especially by artificial insemination [ 36 ]. It is noteworthy that the proliferation of the epidemiological agent in ruminants occurs mainly through infected females, with or without the presence of a previous history of abortion [ 37 , 38 ].…”

“…On the other hand, contamination of carcasses is identified as one of the forms of condemnation. The main causes of condemnation of carcasses are related to diseases, in about 57%, especially tuberculosis [ 10 ] and brucellosis [ 35 , 57 ].…”