Abstract
BackgroundBrucellosis is a neglected tropical zoonosis allegedly reemerging in Middle Eastern countries. Infected ruminants are the primary source of human infection; consequently, estimates of the frequency of ruminant brucellosis are useful elements for building effective control strategies. Unfortunately, these estimates are lacking in most Middle East countries including Egypt. Our objectives are to estimate the frequency of ruminant brucellosis and to describe its spatial distribution in Kafr El Sheikh Governorate, Nile Delta, Egypt.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in which 791 sheep, 383 goats, 188 cattle milk tanks and 173 buffalo milk tanks were randomly selected in 40 villages and tested for the presence of antibodies against Brucella spp. The seroprevalence among different species was estimated and visualized using choropleth maps. A spatial scanning method was used to identify areas with significantly higher proportions of seropositive flocks and milk tanks. We estimated that 12.2% of sheep and 11.3% of goats in the study area were seropositive against Brucella spp. and that 12.2% and 12% of cattle and buffalo milk tanks had antibodies against Brucella spp. The southern part of the governorate had the highest seroprevalence with significant spatial clustering of seropositive flocks in the proximity of its capital and around the main animal markets.Conclusions/ SignificanceOur study revealed that brucellosis is endemic at high levels in all ruminant species in the study area and questions the efficacy of the control measures in place. The high intensity of infection transmission among ruminants combined with high livestock and human density and widespread marketing of unpasteurized milk and dairy products may explain why Egypt has one of the highest rates of human brucellosis worldwide. An effective integrated human-animal brucellosis control strategy is urgently needed. If resources are not sufficient for nationwide implementation, high-risk areas could be prioritized.
Highlights
Brucellosis is one of the most common zoonotic diseases worldwide, and as such poses a major threat to human health and animal production [1,2]
In Egypt, brucellosis is endemic among humans and domestic ruminants [5], and it has recently been found that catfish in the Nile Delta region can be naturally infected with Brucella melitensis [6]
In the Nile delta region, the incidence was estimated at 18 cases/100,000 population in 2000 [7] and the seroprevalence within a village in the Gharbia governorate was estimated at 1.7% in 2003 [8]
Summary
Brucellosis is one of the most common zoonotic diseases worldwide, and as such poses a major threat to human health and animal production [1,2]. To try to address the lack of reliable information, Jennings et al [9] used population-based surveillance data to estimate the frequency of human brucellosis in one of the Upper Egypt governorates (Al Fayoum). They reported an incidence of 64 and 70 cases /100,000 population in 2002 and 2003 respectively, and found that hospital based surveillance identified less than 6% of human brucellosis cases. Infected ruminants are the primary source of human infection; estimates of the frequency of ruminant brucellosis are useful elements for building effective control strategies These estimates are lacking in most Middle East countries including Egypt. Our objectives are to estimate the frequency of ruminant brucellosis and to describe its spatial distribution in Kafr El Sheikh Governorate, Nile Delta, Egypt
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
