Abstract
Brucellosis is an important disease for both veterinary and public health. A study was conducted to understand the seroprevalence of brucellosis and its associated risk factors in pastoral areas of Kagera, Tanzania. Sera from 156 patients with malaria-like symptoms were analyzed using the commercial rapid agglutination test (specific for B.abortus and B.melitensis detection) and Fluorescence Polarization Assay (FPA). Sera from 426 cattle, 206 goats and 197 sheep were analyzed using Rose Bengal Plate (RBPT) and Competitive ELISA (c-ELISA) tests. In humans, overall brucellosis, B. abortus, and B. melitensis sero-prevalences were 7.7% (95%CI: 3.8-12.2%), 1.9% (95% CI: 0.4-4.5%), and 5.8 % (95%CI: 2.6-10.6%), respectively. At animal level, seropositivity was 5.9% (95%CI: 4.0-8.6%), 2.5% (95%CI: 0.8-5.7%) and 0.5% (95%CI: 0.01-2.8%) in cattle, goats and sheep, respectively. At herd level, seropositivity was 18.2% (95%CI: 12.0-25.8%) in cattle and 6.9% (95%CI: 2.2-15.3%) in small ruminants. Brucellosis was associated with assisting in parturition without wearing protective gears (OR= 5.6; p= 0.02) in humans, herds of 50-200 animals (OR= 4.2, p= 0.01) and cattle (OR=3.5; p=0.01). The knowledge of brucellosis among pastoralists (OR=0.1; p<0.01) was a protective factor. Brucella infections could be occurring in pastoralists and domestic ruminants in Kagera. Community health education is necessary for the control of brucellosis in Tanzania.
Highlights
Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that affects humans and animals globally
Seroprevalence of brucellosis in humans and domestic ruminants in Kagera Region In humans, from Fluorescence Polarization Assay (FPA) test, the overall brucellosis (n=12), B. abortus (n=3), and B. melitensis (n=9) sero-prevalences were 7.7% (95%CI: 4.04 -13.05%), 1.9% (95%CI: 0.4 - 4.5%), and 5.8 %, respectively
The overall seroprevalence of brucellosis in domestic ruminants was 3.7% while the herd prevalence was 13.5%
Summary
Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that affects humans and animals globally. It is acquired by direct or indirect contact with infected animals or their products. Due to its economic importance and social impact in the population (miscarriages, infertilities and reduction of milk production), brucellosis in Kagera ecosystem calls for researchers’ attention This region is in an ecosystem that borders with three countries (Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda) where, domestic animals, wildlife and human populations are constantly interacting 9. Studies on brucellosis prevalence in this shared ecosystem between bordering countries are scarce Such researches could underscore the understanding of the transboundary issues associated with the disease transmission and the movement of people and teir livestock within ecosystems in East African Community (EAC). The objective of this study was to estimate the magnitude of Brucella infection and identify associated risk factors among pastoralists and their domestic ruminants in Kagera ecosystem, Tanzania. Brucellosis and its associated risk factors to humans and domestic ruminants in Kagera Ecosystem, Tanzania.
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