Seroprevalence of brucellosis in cattle and humans in the Akwapim-South district of Ghana: public health implications

Abstract

A total of 183 cattle comprising 54 bulls, 53 milking cows, 76 heifers and 44 calves in the Akwapim-South district of Ghana were tested for antibodies against Brucella abortus using the Rose Bengal plate test. The results indicated that cattle in the Akwapim-South district were infected with Brucella with a mean seroprevalence of 6.6%. There was no difference in the seroprevalence either between females 11/129 (8.5%) and males 1/54 (1.9%), or among the three different breeds of cattle (Sanga, West African short horn (WASH) and white Fulani) in the study area. However, there was a significant increase in seropositivity with respect to age. A significant association between antibodies against Brucella and a history of abortions and retained placenta in cows indicated that brucellosis might be responsible for significant economic losses to farmers in the area. However, no evidence of human brucellosis was detected by antibody screening in selected risk groups.