Low Seroprevalence of Brucellosis in Humans and Small Ruminants in the Gambia.

Eveline A Germeraad,Bart Goossens,Marianne A B Van Der Sande,Wim Van Der Hoek,Hendrik I J Roest,Modou Lamin,Arss Secka,Arjan Stegeman,Ismaila L Manneh,Lenny Hogerwerf,Davis Nwakanma,Tisbeh Faye-Joof,Rita Wegmüller,Momodou Jeng,Ousman Secka,Nagendra R Hegde

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0166035

Abstract

BackgroundBrucellosis is a worldwide zoonosis with significant impact on rural livelihoods and a potentially underestimated contributor to febrile illnesses. The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of brucellosis in humans and small ruminants in The Gambia.MethodsThe study was carried out in rural and urban areas. In 12 rural villages in Kiang West district, sera were collected from humans (n = 599) and small ruminants (n = 623) from the same compounds. From lactating small ruminants, milk samples and vaginal swabs were obtained. At the urban study sites, sera were collected from small ruminants (n = 500) from slaughterhouses and livestock markets. Information on possible risk factors for seropositivity was collected through questionnaires. Sera were screened for antibodies against Brucella spp. with the Rose Bengal Test, ELISA and Micro Agglutination Test (human sera only). PCR was performed on 10 percent of the milk samples and vaginal swabs from small ruminants.ResultsOne human and 14 sheep sera were positive by the Rose Bengal Test. The rest were negative in all serological tests used. The PCR results were all negative.ConclusionsThe results suggest that brucellosis is currently not a generalized problem in humans or small ruminants in The Gambia.

Highlights

Brucellosis is considered one of the most common globally occurring zoonoses [1]
One human and 14 sheep sera were positive by the Rose Bengal Test
The results suggest that brucellosis is currently not a generalized problem in humans or small ruminants in The Gambia

Summary

Introduction

Brucellosis is considered one of the most common globally occurring zoonoses [1]. Brucella spp. are intracellular Gram-negative coccobacilli that can infect various species of animals as well as humans [2]. The most common Brucella spp. responsible for human brucellosis are B. abortus (from cattle), B. melitensis (from goats and sheep), and B. suis (from pigs). B. melitensis is the most virulent species for humans [3]. Brucellosis mainly causes febrile illness [2, 4]. As direct person-to-person transmission is extremely rare, animals and their products are considered the only significant source of human brucellosis [5]. Brucellosis is a worldwide zoonosis with significant impact on rural livelihoods and a potentially underestimated contributor to febrile illnesses. The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of brucellosis in humans and small ruminants in The Gambia.

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion