Brucellosis in wildlife in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Gregory Simpson,Jean-Jacques Letesson,Claude Saegerman,Xavier De Bolle,Tanguy Marcotty,Jacques Godfroid,Peter N Thompson

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-85441-w

Abstract

This study aimed to consolidate current knowledge of wildlife brucellosis in Africa and to analyse available predictors of infection. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. Information on species, test used, test results, area, rainfall, livestock and wildlife contact and year of study were extracted. This systematic review revealed 42 prevalence studies, nine disease control articles and six articles on epidemiology. Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis, Brucella inopinata and Brucella suis were reported in wildlife. The prevalence studies revealed serological evidence of brucellosis in buffalo, antelope (positive in 14/28 species), carnivores (4/12) and other species (7/20) over the last five decades. Buffalo populations were more likely to be infected and had a higher seroprevalence than other species; the pooled seroprevalence was 13.7% (95% CI 10.3–17.3%) in buffalo, 7.1% (95% CI 1.1–15.5%) in carnivores and 2.1% (95% CI 0.1–4.9%) in antelope. Wildlife in high rainfall areas (≥ 800 mm) were more likely to be infected, and infected populations showed higher seroprevalence in high rainfall areas and in studies published after 2000. Domestic animal contact was associated with increased seroprevalence in antelope and carnivore species, but not in buffalo, supporting the hypothesis that buffalo may be a reservoir species.

Highlights

This study aimed to consolidate current knowledge of wildlife brucellosis in Africa and to analyse available predictors of infection
The article either provided information on prevalence, incidence or isolation of Brucella spp. or information on control, diagnosis or risk factors to brucellosis in wildlife in Africa
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to collate the knowledge on which African wildlife species have been infected with brucellosis, by which Brucella species, which wildlife species are able to sustain Brucella infections, which wildlife species can be reservoirs and what factors are associated with Brucella infection and seroprevalence in wildlife

Summary

Introduction

This study aimed to consolidate current knowledge of wildlife brucellosis in Africa and to analyse available predictors of infection. This systematic review revealed 42 prevalence studies, nine disease control articles and six articles on epidemiology. The prevalence studies revealed serological evidence of brucellosis in buffalo, antelope (positive in 14/28 species), carnivores (4/12) and other species (7/20) over the last five decades. Buffalo populations were more likely to be infected and had a higher seroprevalence than other species; the pooled seroprevalence was 13.7% (95% CI 10.3–17.3%) in buffalo, 7.1% (95% CI 1.1–15.5%) in carnivores and 2.1% (95% CI 0.1–4.9%) in antelope. Brucellosis in wild animals in Africa has been documented in a variety of countries since the early 1960′s with serological studies and some Brucella isolations in many wildlife species[1]. Most studies have been serological surveys to try to better understand the epidemiological situation in wildlife, with an assumption that wildlife infected with Brucella spp. may have implications for domestic animals and humans. Marine Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Scientific Reports | (2021) 11:5960

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion