Caprine Brucellosis Research Articles

Prevalence of caprine brucellosis on herds of toba communities in Villa Río Bermejito, Chaco, Argentina (October 2010).

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of caprine brucellosis in goat herds in a region known as 'The Impenetrable' in Chaco Province, Argentina, in order to prevent the occurrence of the disease in people consuming goats' milk. There are high levels of child malnutrition and difficulties in accessing high-quality protein in this region; therefore, goats' milk is a valuable nutrition source. We travelled with Patricia Sosa's foundation 'Little gestures, big results' to Villa Río Bermejito, Chaco, in October 2010 with the laboratory equipment needed to carry out field tests. The foundation is staffed by voluntary workers, including doctors, dentists, experts in social issues, psychologists, who encourage the community to consume goats' milk in their meals after cooking or pasteurizing it to avoid contamination. Blood samples were taken from 273 goats distributed in 13 herds established in the depth of Chaco dry forest that had not been vaccinated against brucellosis. Samples were analysed using the buffered plate antigen test, and positive results were confirmed using the slow agglutination test. Animals were identified using small plastic ear tags. We found only one positive case, with a titre of 1/50. This was considered suspicious and the owner was advised to take the animal out of the herd. Our results indicate that the isolation of these herds in the depths of the forest has protected them from brucellosis, and therefore, they are a good source of high-quality protein, which the people of this region need.

Evaluation of Diagnostic Potential of Recombinant Outer Membrane Protein (rOmp28) of Brucella Melitensis for Serodiagnosis of Ovine and Caprine Brucellosis

Brucella melitensis is the main causative agent of brucellosis in small ruminants. The diagnosis of brucellosis is mostly done by isolation of bacteria from aborted material, udder secretions or from tissues of infected animals. The presumptive diagnosis of Brucellosis is attempted by elucidating the serological responses to Brucella antigens. The present study was designed to evaluate the diagnostic potential of rOmp28 antigen of Brucella melitensis for ovine and caprine brucellosis. A total of 163 clinical samples (n=79 samples of ovine and n=84 samples of caprine) were tested in an indirect plate-ELISA format using rOmp28 antigen. Results of rOmp28 antigen based indirect ELISA were also compared with the native antigens [cell envelope antigen (CE) and whole cell sonicated antigen (SA)] based ELISA and with conventional Standard Tube Agglutination Test (STAT). Recombinant Omp28 antigen showed high sensitivity and specificity i.e., 71.4%, 97.7% for ovine samples and 74%, 87.8% for caprine samples as compared with CE antigen (40%, 75%) and (44%, 67.6%) and SA antigen (37.1%, 84%) and (42%, 70.5%) for ovine and caprine samples respectively. This study demonstrated that rOmp28 can be a good candidate antigen in the serodiagnosis of ovine and caprine brucellosis in India and also further in the development of rapid field-adaptable diagnostic assay for screening of ovine and caprine brucellosis.

Seroepidemiology and the Molecular Detection of Animal Brucellosis in Punjab, Pakistan.

Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella (B.), affecting both animals and humans, causing severe economic loses and severe illness, respectively. The objective of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence and the risk factors associated with caprine, ovine, and bovine brucellosis in selected districts of Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 1083 blood samples were randomly collected from animals (goats = 440, sheep = 203, cows = 206, and buffaloes = 234). Questionnaires were used to collect data on risk factors associated with brucellosis on the sampling day. All samples were initially screened for anti-Brucella antibodies using the rose bengal plate test (RBPT). The seropositive serum samples were confirmed by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the detection of the Brucella genus- and Brucella species-specific DNA (B. abortus and B. melitensis). Univariant and binary logistic regression were used to identify important risk factors of brucellosis. Anti-Brucella antibodies and DNA were detected in 35 (3.23%) serum samples. Thirty-four (97.1%) DNA samples were confirmed as B. melitensis by qRT-PCR. Abortion history and natural mating were found to be potential risk factors. Brucella melitensis was identified as the causative agent of caprine, ovine, and bovine brucellosis in the selected districts of Punjab, Pakistan. Diseased animals may act as a source of infection for other animals. The elimination of positive seroreactors, development of control strategies for brucellosis, and education programs regarding the control of zoonotic disease are highly needed in developing countries like Pakistan.

Opportunities for Brucellosis Control in Mexico: Views Based on the Sustainable Livelihoods Perspective.

Caprine brucellosis is a main constraint for small-scale goat husbandry systems in the Global South, as it negatively affects production parameters and can be transmitted to humans. The aim of this manuscript is to point out opportunities for brucellosis control in a resource poor area. The present paper draws from previous research in two Mexican states, Jalisco and Michoacán, both within the Bajío region. Main opportunities for brucellosis control are discussed within the “Sustainable Livelihoods Perspective.” Goat farming gives farmers a number of livelihoods benefits: food, cash, prestige, and a job. Goat farming is also a reason for some farmers to stay in their villages rather than to migrate to the US. This livelihood strategy, however, is threatened by brucellosis, which is endemic in the goat population of the region. Brucellosis control, however, offers an opportunity for small-scale goat farmers to enhance health and welfare. The socio-economic context is very important in planning a successful brucellosis control campaign. Control strategies should be planned considering the local goat farming husbandry and the views of the farmers.

Prevalence of Caprine brucellosis in Anhui province, China.

Background and Aim:Brucellosis is one of the most widespread zoonotic diseases globally. Studies indicated the existence of Brucella infection in goats in some province of China. Thus this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of brucellosis in goats of Anhui Province, China.Materials and Methods:Serum and milk samples obtained from goats in different regions of Anhui province were studied through rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), serum agglutination test (SAT), milk ring test (MRT), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results:The investigation frequency of brucellosis using RBPT, SAT, MRT, and PCR methods was 3.9% (n=7), 4.45% (n=8), 11.67% (n=7), and 86.67% (n=156), respectively. The prevalence recorded for brucellosis in sex-wise animals as in females 5.55%, 6.67%, 11.67%, and 78.8% through above methods, while in males, it was 2.23% and 2.23% by RBPT and SAT. However, in age-wise animals, the results 6.36%, 7.27%, 11.67%, and 74.5% were perceived positive by RBPT, SAT, MRT, and PCR in adult females, respectively, but young males and females (up to 9 months) were considered free from brucellosis.Conclusion:These results show that prevalence of brucellosis was relatively higher in females than male’s goats and SAT was relatively specific and accurate as compared to RBPT and MRT, but for diagnosis of brucellosis, molecular method (PCR) is recommended.

Economic impact of caprine and ovine brucellosis in Mymensingh district, Bangladesh

Background: Brucellosis is one of the ancient re-emerging zoonotic diseases which play a significant economic impact on public health and livestock sector. Many studies were carried out on the epidemiology of the disease recently but economic importance was not focused on those studies. This study was conducted to determine the true prevalence and economic impact of caprine and ovine brucellosis in Mymensingh district, Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiologic study covering all upazilas of Mymensingh district, Bangladesh was conducted during the period from January to December, 2016. The data related to age, sex, abortion record and reproduction disorders were also collected on the sampling day using a questionnaire. Blood samples ( n=2593) were collected from randomly selected native goat and sheep where Rose Bengal Test, Rapid Brucella AB test kit and MAb-ELISA (Monoclonal antibody based blocking Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) were used to identify the positive reactors. Results: The prevalence of caprine and ovine brucellosis was estimated to be 1.6% whereas it was found to be 1.56% and 1.64 % in goats and sheep respectively. The prevalence data was incorporated to the economic model to quantify the financial loss due to brucellosis. The total losses attributed to the disease was 48436400 taka (605455 US$) annually in the district whereas 46462900 taka (580786.25 US$) and 1973500 taka (24668.75 US$) in goat and sheep respectively. Conclusions: The study concluded that brucellosis silently constitutes economic loss to the economy of the country and the producers due to insufficient knowledge and inadequate diagnostic facilities, lack of awareness and an effective prevention and control strategy.

Association of an IRF3 putative functional uORF variant with resistance to Brucella infection: A candidate gene based analysis of InDel polymorphisms in goats

Brucellosis is an important zoonotic disease caused by infection with Brucella spp. It generates major economic losses in livestock production worldwide. Goats are the principal hosts of B. melitensis, the main infection agent of caprine and human brucellosis. The selection of resistance-related genes is considered one of the best long-term means to improve control to bacterial infection in domestic ruminants. We performed a candidate gene association study to test if six short insertion/deletion polymorphisms (InDels) at bacterial-infection related genes influence the resistance to Brucella infection in female creole goats. InDels (IRF3-540: rs660531540, FKBP5-294: rs448529294, TIRAP-561: rs657494561, PTPRT-588: rs667380588, KALRN-989: rs667660989 and RAB5a-016: rs661537016) were resolved by PCR-capillary electrophoresis in samples from 64 cases and 64 controls for brucellosis. Allelic frequencies were significantly different between cases and controls at IRF3-540 and KALRN-989 (p = 0.001 and 0.005). Indeed, the minor alleles (a and k) at InDels IRF3-540 and KALRN-989 were more frequent among controls than cases, providing evidence that these alleles confer protection against Brucella infection. Moreover, IRF3-540 a-containing genotypes (Aa and aa) were associated with absence of Brucella-specific antibodies in goats (p = 0.003; OR = 3.52; 95% CI = 1.55–7.96), and more specifically, a-allele was associated with resistance to Brucella infection in a dose-dependent manner. Also, we observed that the IRF3-540 deletion (a-allele) extends a conserved upstream ORF by 75 nucleotides to the main ORF, and thus it may decrease gene expression by reducing translation efficiency from the main ORF. These results suggest a potential functional role of IRF3-540 deletion in genetic resistance to Brucella infection in goats.

Evaluation of immunochromatographic assay as a field test for the diagnosis of caprine brucellosis

The present study was undertaken to assess the suitability of immunochromatographic assay (ICA) as a field test for the diagnosis of caprine brucellosis. Whole blood samples (570: 195 male goats, 375 female goats) were collected from selected organized herds and panjarapoles located in Southern Gujarat. Out of 570 animals tested, 19 (3.33%), 72 (12.63%) and 45 (7.89%) were positive by Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), indirect ELISA (iELISA) and immunochromatographic assay (ICA) respectively. The sensitivity of RBPT and ICA vs iELISA was 26.39% and 61.11% respectively. Both the tests were 100% specific when compared with iELISA. Negative likelihood ratio for RBPT and ICA as compared to iELISA was 0.74 and 0.39 respectively. The negative predictive value for RBPT was 90.38% and 94.68% for ICA. However, the positive predictive values (PPV) for both the tests were 100%. McNemar chi-square test for independent data (with Yates’ correction) revealed significant difference in the positive proportion between RBPT vs iELISA as 9.30% and ICA vs iELISA as 4.91%. The concordance of iELISA with RBPT was moderate (k=0.385) while it was good (k=0.733) for ICA.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of caprine brucellosis in Khartoum state, Sudan.

AimThis cross-sectional study was conducted from April to July 2012 in Khartoum state, Sudan, to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis in goats and to investigate potential risk factors associated with this disease.Materials and MethodsA total of 307 serum samples were collected from both sexes of goats in four different localities and were subjected to testing for brucellosis using rose bengal plate test (RBPT), serum agglutination test (SAT), and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA).ResultsThe overall seroprevalence was 11.4% (n=35) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) ranging from 7.80 to 15.0. Out of these 35 RBPT-positive samples, the positivity of 18 and 17 were confirmed by SAT and cELISA, respectively. A significant statistical variation was observed between brucellosis seroprevalences in goats purchased from local animal markets and goats that were raised at the farm. Conversely, such significant variations were not observed among the categories of other risk factors with seroprevalences ranging from 3.0% (95% CI between 0.40 and 7.20) to 16.3% (95% CI between 10.4 and 22.3). Location (χ2=9.33, df=3, p=0.02), breed (χ2=3.52, df=1, p=0.05), herd size (χ2=6.59, df=2, p=0.03), and herd expansion (χ2=5.39, df=1, p=0.02) were associated with RBPT-positive status for brucella in the two-tailed Chi-square test. In addition, Sharq an-Nil locality and goats raised at the farm had increased odds of being RBPT positive.ConclusionBrucellosis was detected in goats in all surveyed localities. An effort should be made to educate goat owners/herders about brucellosis as well as about the importance of vaccination.

Overview on CommonPathological Changes and Diagnostic Methods of Caprine and Ovine Brucellosis

Overview on CommonPathological Changes and Diagnostic Methods of Caprine and Ovine Brucellosis

Epidemiology and Economic Impact Assessment of Caprine Brucellosis in Penang State, Malaysia: A Retrospective Analysis

Brucella melitensis is a zoonotic pathogen affecting a wide range of hosts with economic significance in the animal industry worldwide. The disease is characterized by abortion, still birth, reduced milk production, weak foetus and infertility mainly in small ruminant populations. There is a wide distribution of the disease among domesticated species and the trends of the disease in goats have not yet been described in Penang state, Malaysia. In this study we describe the distribution, pattern and trend of B. melitensis in Penang state based on serological data obtained from nationwide B. melitensis serosurveillance activities in goat populations. A total of 13,724 goats were sampled within the period of study (2012-2014), of which 3.4% (95% CI; 3.35-3.45) goats tested positive for B. melitensis infection. The district of Seberang Perai Utara had the highest animal seroprevalence of 95.5% (95% CI; 94.2-96.8). The seroprevalence varied over type of the breeds and the period of study and generally increased in 2014. Seropositive animals clustered around Boer and Katjang breeds with the prevalence of 54% (95% CI; 51.8-56.2) and 38% (95% CI; 35.8-40.2), respectively. The months of March, August and September, illustrated the highest seroprevalences of 44 (95% CI; 41.54-46.46), 13% (95% CI; 10.8-15.2) and 14% (95% CI; 11.3-16.7), respectively. A noticeable variation was observed in annual-level economic loses, but the seroprevalence remained significantly high in 2014 (>80%). Considering the lack of information on the epidemiology of caprine brucellosis in peninsular Malaysia, this report could contribute to the on-going area-wise national brucellosis eradication program.

Comparative evaluation of conventional serological tests and in-House recombinant OMP31 (rOMP31)-Based elisa for the detection of caprine brucellosis

Sero-detection of brucella antibodies was done in 300 serum samples randomly collected from aborted goats by the classical serological tests like rose bengal plate test (RBPT), serum tube agglutination test (SAT) and rOMP31-based indirect-Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (i-ELISA) and dot-ELISA. The seroprevalence for brucellosis was 22.66, 11.33, 24.33 and 17.33% with RBPT, SAT, i-ELISA and dot-ELISA, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of different tests varied from 56.25 to 87.50% and from 75.00 to 90.00%, respectively. It was found that rOmp31-based ELISA is the most suitable test with 87.5% sensitivity and 90.0% specificity for detection of brucellosis in goats.

Caprine brucellosis: A historically neglected disease with significant impact on public health.

Caprine brucellosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by the gram-negative cocci-bacillus Brucella melitensis. Middle- to late-term abortion, stillbirths, and the delivery of weak offspring are the characteristic clinical signs of the disease that is associated with an extensive negative impact in a flock’s productivity. B. melitensis is also the most virulent Brucella species for humans, responsible for a severely debilitating and disabling illness that results in high morbidity with intermittent fever, chills, sweats, weakness, myalgia, abortion, osteoarticular complications, endocarditis, depression, anorexia, and low mortality. Historical observations indicate that goats have been the hosts of B. melitensis for centuries; but around 1905, the Greek physician Themistokles Zammit was able to build the epidemiological link between “Malta fever” and the consumption of goat milk. While the disease has been successfully managed in most industrialized countries, it remains a significant burden on goat and human health in the Mediterranean region, the Middle East, Central and Southeast Asia (including India and China), sub-Saharan Africa, and certain areas in Latin America, where approximately 3.5 billion people live at risk. In this review, we describe a historical evolution of the disease, highlight the current worldwide distribution, and estimate (by simple formula) the approximate costs of brucellosis outbreaks to meat- and milk-producing farms and the economic losses associated with the disease in humans. Successful control leading to eradication of caprine brucellosis in the developing world will require a coordinated Global One Health approach involving active involvement of human and animal health efforts to enhance public health and improve livestock productivity.

Goat movement network analysis and its implications for caprine brucellosis propagation in Nonthaburi Province, Thailand

Goat movement network analysis and its implications for caprine brucellosis propagation in Nonthaburi Province, Thailand

Serological Investigation Of Caprine Brucellosis At Saniyah District

Brucellosis is important zoonotic disease in Iraq affect variety species of animals, cattle, sheep goats, camels and horses and transmitted to human being by direct contact with diseased animals or by ingestion of contaminated unpasteurized milk and milk products .The disease characterized by chronic nature and the infection may develop unobserved which lead to local clustering of infected cases. Serological survey was conducted to detect prevalence of brucella antibodies among goats by random selection of 120 animals in two villages at Saniyah out of target population of 848 in 32 villages. Rose Bengal test used for detection of IgM antibodies by using standard Brucella antigen ( Synbiotics,Lyon, France ), indirect ELISA kit ( NovaLisa, Germany) was applied to investigate the seroprevalence of brucellosis in goats of studied area, the results of collected serum samples which subjected to RBT & i ELISA were 10.8 % and 12.5 % respectively,the positive results of i ELISA were higher than that of RBT which was significantly differed .The seropositivty in male 20% were higher than female 12.17% with significant difference , while the seroprevalence in relation to age groups were reported in adult animals only 14.4% and 16.6 by using RBT and ELISA respectively and there were no positive results in young ones .In conclusion brucellosis is still spread among goats and host risk factor comprise age and sex in addition to the types of serological test influence the seroprevalence percentage, more attention should be directed towards preventing of caprine brucellosis by application of proper control programs.

Diagnosis of Caprine Brucellosis by Serology and Multiple PCR

Diagnosis of Caprine Brucellosis by Serology and Multiple PCR

Diagnosis of Caprine Brucellosis by Serology and Multiple PCR

Diagnosis of Caprine Brucellosis by Serology and Multiple PCR

English

English

Duplex PCR for the diagnosis of Brucella melitensis and its differentiation from the REV-1 vaccine strain

Caprine brucellosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by Brucella melitensis, whose main symptoms are abortion in females and orchitis in males. Vaccination by mistake of pregnant goats with the REV-1 vaccine may cause abortions. The aim of this study was to develop a duplex PCR that could identify and differentiate the DNA of B. melitensis field strains from that of the REV-1 vaccine strain. The results showed that the duplex PCR performed on DNA isolated from infected tissues is very convenient as it significantly shortens the time of detection of the etiological agent, yields a reliable result and has an acceptable cost.

Bovine and Caprine Brucellosis in Bangladesh: Bayesian evaluation of four serological tests, true prevalence, and associated risk factors in household animals.

A cross-sectional study was carried out to estimate the true prevalence of Brucella spp. and identify allied risk factors/indicators associated with brucellosis in the Dinajpur and Mymensingh districts of Bangladesh. A total 320 stratified random blood samples were collected and tested in parallel for Brucella antibodies using Rose Bengal (RBT), slow agglutination (SAT), and indirect and competitive ELISA. In addition, a structured questionnaire was administered to each household herd owner to gather information regarding potential risk factors. Both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify potential risk factors or indicators at animal level. A Bayesian approach was used to estimate the true prevalence of brucellosis along with the test performances (Se and Sp). The estimated animal level true prevalence in cattle was 9.70% (95% CPI 5.0-16%) and in goat 6.3% (95% CPI 2.8-11.0%). The highest sensitivity was achieved by SAT ranges from 69.6 to 78.9%, and iELISA was found to be more specific (97.4 to 98.8%) in comparison with other tests. On the other hand, a significant level of (P < 0.05) Brucella seropositivity was found in cattle that breed naturally compared with those that undergo artificial insemination. In goats, exotic breeds were significantly associated (P < 0.05) with Brucella seroprevalence compared with indigenous breeds. Goats with a previous records of abortion and/or retained placenta were also found to have significant levels (P < 0.05). Cows with previous abortion records showed higher odds (18 times) of being seropositive. None of the evaluated tests can be recommended to apply alone for the diagnosis of bovine and caprine brucellosis.