Abstract
In this study, milk and blood samples collected simultaneously from 532 trade cows to be slaughtered at Bodija abattoir, Ibadan (southwestern, Nigeria) were examined for antibodies to Brucella using the milk ring test (MRT) and the rose bengal test (RBT). Overall, 18.61% of the milk samples were positive according to the MRT, while 9.77% of the serum samples were positive according to the RBT. The difference was highly significant (Chi-square value 16.33; P < 0.05); only 32 (6.02%) of the samples were positive for both tests. The Red Bororo breed of cattle and the White Fulani had the highest positive rates, namely 20.93% and 11.69% for the MRT and RBT respectively. No conclusion can be drawn about sensitivity because we do not know the true status of the animals tested. It is, however, obvious that although the MRT and RBT are 1st-line screening tests for brucellosis in cows in some countries, their lack of specificity is of concern. Therefore, the requirement for other confirmatory tests that are more specific should be considered for control and eradication of the disease, especially in Nigeria.
Highlights
Brucellosis is a disease of domestic animals with serious zoonotic implications in humans, causing huge economic losses to the livestock industry
The highest positive rate of 20.93 % was obtained among the Red Bororo breed of cattle using the milk ring test (MRT), while the White Fulani breed had the highest infection rate of 11.69 % in the rose bengal test (RBT) (Table 1)
The significantly high difference in the proportions of samples positive according to the MRT and the RBT indicates that, these 2 tests are generally used for screening, especially in developing countries, other tests are required for confirmatory diagnosis
Summary
Brucellosis is a disease of domestic animals with serious zoonotic implications in humans, causing huge economic losses to the livestock industry. Specific antibodies to Brucella in serum and other body fluids are detected by an ever-increasing variety of techniques; some of the tests have been developed with a view to differentiating antibodies resulting from infection and those from vaccination, and others aim to detect the chronic carrier animal in areas or herds with a very low incidence[11]. Body fluids such as serum, uterine discharge, aDepartment of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
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