Abstract
Limited data are available on the risk factors responsible for the occurrence of brucellosis amongst different cattle production systems in Nigeria despite its significant impact on livestock production. Consequently, a cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of bovine brucellosis in three cattle production systems in Yewa Division of Ogun State, south-western Nigeria. A total of 279 blood samples (sedentary = 88; transhumance = 64; trade = 127) were examined for antibodies to Brucella sp. using the Rose Bengal test (RBT) and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). Overall, 24 (8.6%) and 16 (5.7%) of the animals tested seropositive for Brucella using RBT and cELISA, respectively. The herd seroprevalences based on RBT and cELISA were 31.6% and 15.8%, respectively. The results using cELISA reveal higher seroprevalence in the trade cattle (7.9%; confidence intervals [CI] = 3.2% - 12.6%) and those in a sedentary system (5.7%; CI = 0.9% - 10.5%) than in cattle kept under a transhumant management system (1.6%; CI = 1.5% - 4.7%). Age (> 3 years; p = 0.043) and breed (Djali; p = 0.038) were statistically significant for seropositivity to brucellosis based on cELISA, but sex (female, p = 0.234), production system (trade and sedentary; p = 0.208) or herd size (> 120; p = 0.359) was not. Since breeding stock is mostly sourced from trade and sedentary cattle, it is important that routine serological screening should be conducted before introducing any animal into an existing herd.
Highlights
Brucellosis is a disease of major public health importance, causing significant economic losses (Abdou 2000) to the animal industry because of abortion and infertility, and extensive chronic morbidity in humans
Recent investigations based on serological studies have shown that bovine brucellosis is endemic in Nigeria (Abdou 2000; Ate et al 2007; Cadmus et al 2010) and that there is an apparent increase in its occurrence in the country (Junaidu, Oboegbulem & Salihu 2011; Ocholi et al 2004)
This study highlighted the endemicity of brucellosis in the different cattle production systems screened in Yewa, south-western Nigeria
Summary
Brucellosis is a disease of major public health importance, causing significant economic losses (Abdou 2000) to the animal industry because of abortion and infertility, and extensive chronic morbidity in humans. The available evidence, incomplete, shows that bovine brucellosis is widespread (McDermott & Arimi 2002). It is a serious, debilitating disease in humans, causing fever, headaches and further complications if left untreated (Abdou 2000; Zinsstag et al 2007). Recent investigations based on serological studies have shown that bovine brucellosis is endemic in Nigeria (Abdou 2000; Ate et al 2007; Cadmus et al 2010) and that there is an apparent increase in its occurrence in the country (Junaidu, Oboegbulem & Salihu 2011; Ocholi et al 2004). The role of different cattle production systems needs to be assessed given the uncontrolled free movement of animals, especially as practised by the Fulani herdsmen, and unsupervised introduction of new animals into herds
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