Work

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of small ruminant brucellosis in Kereyu pastoral area of Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study reports the prevalence and risk factors of brucellosis in small ruminants in the Fentale district of Ethiopia. For this purpose, a total of 384 serum samples—192 each from sheep and goats—were collected from 77 flocks using a random sampling method. All samples were initially screened for Brucella antibodies using the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), and those tested positive were further confirmed using the complement fixation test (CFT) and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the association between potential risk factors and Brucella infection. Out of the 384 serum samples tested using RBPT, 3.6% (95% CI: 2.1-5.8) were found positive. Further examination of the RBPT-positive samples using CFT and c-ELISA demonstrated animal level seroprevalence of 2.3% (95% CI: 0.9- 4.2) and 2.6% (95% CI: 1.0-4.2), respectively. Based on c-ELISA results, the herd-level prevalence in the study area was 11.7% (95% CI: 6.4-22.1). Sex and flock size were found to be significantly associated with Brucella seropositivity (p<0.05), while, species, age, and parity were not (p>0.05). Animals in the large herd category were found to be at significantly higher risk of Brucella infection compared to those in medium-sized herds, with an odds ratio (OR) of 81.2 (95% CI: 9.4–703.8; p<0.05). The current study found that brucellosis is prevalent in small ruminants in the study area. Vaccination after identification of Brucella organisms circulating in the area will greatly support the prevention and control of brucellosis in the study area. Moreover, pastoralists in the study area need to be aware on the importance of small ruminant brucellosis.

Source: Ethiopian Veterinary Journal

DOI: 10.4314/evj.v29i2.3

Authors: Dagnachew Demissie, Tesfu Kassa, Gobena Ameni, Peter Baaro Gathura, Esayas Gelaye, Gezahegne Mamo