Seroprevalence of bovine brucellosis and analysis of risk factors in cattle and livestock Handler's in Gilgit – Pakistan, 2019

Abstract

Background: Brucellosis is one of the silent killers in livestock population with zoonotic effect in all over the world. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of bovine brucellosis and identify risk factors associated with transmission of Brucella abortus. Methods & Materials: A cross sectional study was conducted in district Gilgit during October 2018 to May 2019. Total 150 serum samples were collected from different breeds of Cattles. Twenty (20) sera were also collected from livestock handlers. Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) was performed for the initial screening, while the suspected and positive samples were confirmed through Tube agglutination test (TAT) and indirect-ELISA. A predesigned questionnaire was used to collect information on risk factors; animal breed, age, sex, breeding method, abortion history and retained placenta. Information was also collected on human related risk factors including occupation, consuming raw milk and animal handling. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20. Results: All serum samples (n = 170) were initially screened with RBPT and 16 were found seropositive to brucellosis. All human samples (n = 20) were found negative. The overall seroprevalence of bovine brucellosis was 10.7% while the seroprevalence in Jersy breed was 28% and the local cattle breed were found negative. Out of the total 16 RBPT seropositive sera, 11 were showing seropositive titer in TAT. Six sera were showing acute infection having the titer 1:160 with higher sensitivity 92.4% while only four (7.02%) with positive antibody titer were confirmed in indirect ELISA. Risk factors age (p-value 0.004), breed (p-value 0.002), retained placenta (p-value 0.002) and history of abortion (p-value 0.002) was associated significantly with the disease. Conclusion: The prevalence of brucellosis in Jersy cattle was much higher than the local cattle breed. Age, retained placenta and abortion history were positively correlated. Safe management practices might be helpful to limit the transmissibility.