Seroprevalence of zoonotic diseases among farm animals in Kvemo Kartli (Georgia)

Abstract

ObjectiveThe purpose of this research was to study the seroprevalence ofzoonotic diseases among farm animals in the Kvemo Kartli regionof Georgia.IntroductionZoonotic diseases are an important cause of human morbidityand mortality; around 75% of recently emerging human infectiousdiseases are zoonoses. Herein we report the first seroprevalence studyto include a range of emerging or re-emerging zoonotic pathogens ofeconomic concern (including:Bacillus anthracis, Coxiella burnetii,Francisellaspp.,Brucellaspp., and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagicfever virus (CCHFV)) affecting domestic animals (e.g., cattle, sheep,goat, and dog) in Georgia.MethodsCattle (n=177) from Gardabani, Marneuli, and Tsalka(Kvemo Kartli region) were sampled for the study as were small ruminantsand dogs (n=30).Bacillus anthracis, Brucellaspp., CCHFV, andC. burnetii(Phase I) were detected using ELISA methods.Francisellatularensiswas detected using a microscopic agglutination test (MAT).ResultsOf the cattle sampled, 11 were positive forF. tularensis, 39 werepositive forBrucellaspp., and seven were positive forC. burnetii. Allsamples were negative for CCHFV. Three goat samples were positiveforC. burnetii, one goat sample and one dog sample were positive forF. tularensis.ConclusionsDomestic animals serve as a source of disease that can spreadto humans through vectors or direct contact. In Georgia, domesticanimals were not previously studied for exposure to zoonotic diseases,with the exception of cattle, which were surveyed for brucellosis.In particular, the finding ofF. tularensisseropositive animals isnovel in Georgia, as this region was considered free of the pathogen.Screening studies of domestic/farm animals for zoonotic pathogenssuch as this can serve as a source of baseline data for regional riskassessments and to better inform One Health measures.