Abstract
Objective: This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and typing of brucellosis in lactating cows in some dairy farms in Kuwait. Materials and methods: A total of 4671 serum samples were collected from 4671 apparently healthy lactating cows comprising of 486 from Al-Wafra, 348 from Al-Kabed and 3837 from Al-Salebia areas. The sera were tested by Buffered Acidified Plate Antigen Test (BAPAT), Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and Complement Fixation Test (CFT) for the presence of brucellosis. Besides, Milk Ring Test (MRT) was done with 60 milk samples collected from 60 lactating cows comprising 18 from Al-Wafra, 5 from Al-Kabed and 37 from Al-Salebia areas. The stomach content of aborted feti were tested for typing of Brucella organism by using specific antisera. Results: The results showed that the overall seroprevalence of bovine brucellosis was 339 (7.25%) by BAPAT, 332 (7.1%) by RBPT, and 329 (7.04%) by CFT. The results revealed that, 42 (8.6%), 5 (1.4%) and 292 (7.6%) sera were positive for brucellosis by BAPAT in the cows of Al-Wafra, Al-Kabed and Al-Salebia areas, respectively. Whereas, their respective number and seroreactive cases by RBPT were 39 (8.02%), 5 (1.4%) and 288 (7.4%). Similarly, as confirmatory test by CFT, the number and seroreactive cases in these areas were 39 (8.02%), 5 (1.4%) and 285 (7.46%). MRT revealed that the average positive case was 61.67% (59.46% in Al-Wafra; 60% in Al-Kabed and 66.6% in Al-Salebia). Two Brucella isolates could be recovered from the stomach content of the two aborted feti and typed as Brucella melitensis biovar 2. Conclusion: Brucellosis is prevalent among lactating cows in Kuwait. This indicates the potential role of these dairy animals in disseminating and spread of such zoonosis to human. Considering public health significance, appropriate preventive measures are suggestive for combating brucellosis in Kuwait.
Highlights
Brucellosis is still one of the most important bacterial zoonotic diseases, world wide spread, in Middle East, Mediterranean countries, Africa, Asia, Arabian Gulf, and Central and South Americas (OIE, 2012)
The results showed that the overall seroprevalence of bovine brucellosis was 339 (7.25%) by Buffered Acidified Plate Antigen Test (BAPAT), 332 (7.1%) by Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT), and 329 (7.04%) by Complement Fixation Test (CFT)
Accurate and rapid diagnosis of brucellosis is urgent for any seroprevalence survey, monitoring and eradication programs
Summary
Brucellosis is still one of the most important bacterial zoonotic diseases, world wide spread, in Middle East, Mediterranean countries, Africa, Asia, Arabian Gulf, and Central and South Americas (OIE, 2012). The disease is responsible for enormous economic losses in affected animals due to abortions, infertility premature birth, reduced reproduction and drop in milk production. It is represents a great public health problem in endemic areas (Corbel, 2006; Pappas et al, 2006). MRT is simple and cheap, and requires no specialized equipment to perform It detects anti-Brucella IgM and IgA present in milk, the test may be insufficiently sensitive to detect IgM and IgA at low concentrations in milk or when milk that contains colostrum or milk at the end of the lactation period is used (Bercovich and Moerman, 1979)
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