Abstract
Brucellosis is a global zoonotic disease and major public and animal health problem in many parts of the world, particularly in places where livestock is a major source of food and income. This cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2012 and May 2013 to determine the seroprevalence and assess potential risk factors of brucellosis in small ruminants in five export abattoirs at Debre Ziet and Modjo, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Serology and questionnaire were the methods used. In this investigation, 853 sera samples of 485 caprines and 368 ovines brought for slaughter were selected randomly. The Rose Bengal plate test and complement fixation test were conducted using sera samples at National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center (NAHDIC) serology laboratory. Data collection sheets were used to gather information on possible risk factors believed to influence the occurrence of Brucella infection in small ruminants such as age, species, breed, body condition score, and origin of small ruminants. Brucellosis was found in 17 (1.99%) and 15 (1.76%) small ruminants using the Rose Bengal plate test and complement fixation test, respectively. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age and body condition score of the animals were risk factors to Brucella infection (p = 0.008 and p = 0.001, respectively) in small ruminants. Based on this survey, brucellosis is a potential problem in small ruminants in Ethiopia that should be further explored.
Highlights
Brucellosis is a global zoonotic disease and major public and animal health problem in many parts of the world, in places where livestock is a major source of food and income
The objectives of this study were to estimate the seroprevalence of brucellosis and to assess the potential risk factors of Brucella infection in small ruminants slaughtered in selected export abattoirs at Debre Zeit and Modjo, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
Higher rates of Brucella infection were observed in Afar goat breeds and animals that originated from the Afar region compared to animals of other breeds and origins; this difference was not statistically significant (Table 2)
Summary
Brucellosis is a global zoonotic disease and major public and animal health problem in many parts of the world, in places where livestock is a major source of food and income. This cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2012 and May 2013 to determine the seroprevalence and assess potential risk factors of brucellosis in small ruminants in five export abattoirs at Debre Ziet and Modjo, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age and body condition score of the animals were risk factors to Brucella infection (p = 0.008 and p = 0.001, respectively) in small ruminants. Brucellosis in caprines and ovines is clinically characterized by the following symptoms: abortion, stillbirth, placental retention, weak offspring, acute orchitis, and epididymitis in males, which may develop into infertility [10]
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