Sero-Epidemiological Study of Camel Brucellosis in Mehoni District, South Eastern Tigray, Ethiopia
Year: 2014
Type: article
Abstract: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2012 - August 2013 to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of camel brucellosis in Mehoni District, Southeastern Tigray, Ethiopia. From the total of 450 sera (300 camels and 150 goats) collected, 26 animals were positive by Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), and 11 of 19 camels and 5 of 7 goats were confirmed by complement fixation test (CFT). The overall seroprevalence of Brucella antibodies in camels and goats was 5.78% (26) and 3.56% (16) by RBPT and CFT, respectively. The logistic regression analysis showed highly significant association of positive antibody status with potential risk factors of age (P = 0.021, X 2 = 9.689), history of abortion (P = 0.001, X 2 = 129.964), and parity number (P = 0.006, X 2 = 12.475), and moderate associations based on herd size (p = 0.089, X 2 = 4.848) and for keeping camels in close contact with goats (P= 0.082, X 2 = 3.0281). In contrast, seropositivity was not associated with sex (P=0.532, X 2 = 0.389) or, species (P= 0.857, X 2 = 0.032) or herd size (P= 0.089, X 2 = 4.848). Questionnaire interviews indicated that most of the animal owners were not aware of the zoonotic nature of brucellosis and they drank raw milk and do not take precautions in handling aborted foetuses. Clearly, further studies need to be conducted on the risk of human brucellosis in this area, to educate herders on zoonotic disease and to devise measures for disease control.
Source: Journal of Microbiology Research
Authors: Habtamu Tassew, Fisseha Kassahun
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W627906523