Prevalence of caprine brucellosis on herds of toba communities in Villa Río Bermejito, Chaco, Argentina (October 2010).

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of caprine brucellosis in goat herds in a region known as 'The Impenetrable' in Chaco Province, Argentina, in order to prevent the occurrence of the disease in people consuming goats' milk. There are high levels of child malnutrition and difficulties in accessing high-quality protein in this region; therefore, goats' milk is a valuable nutrition source. We travelled with Patricia Sosa's foundation 'Little gestures, big results' to Villa Río Bermejito, Chaco, in October 2010 with the laboratory equipment needed to carry out field tests. The foundation is staffed by voluntary workers, including doctors, dentists, experts in social issues, psychologists, who encourage the community to consume goats' milk in their meals after cooking or pasteurizing it to avoid contamination. Blood samples were taken from 273 goats distributed in 13 herds established in the depth of Chaco dry forest that had not been vaccinated against brucellosis. Samples were analysed using the buffered plate antigen test, and positive results were confirmed using the slow agglutination test. Animals were identified using small plastic ear tags. We found only one positive case, with a titre of 1/50. This was considered suspicious and the owner was advised to take the animal out of the herd. Our results indicate that the isolation of these herds in the depths of the forest has protected them from brucellosis, and therefore, they are a good source of high-quality protein, which the people of this region need.