Brucella seropositivity in chicken and risk factors for Brucella infection at the animal-human interface in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

How to cite this article: Onunkwo JI, Njoga EO, Njoga UJ, Ezeokafor E, Ekere SO. Brucella seropositivity in chicken and risk factors for Brucella infection at the animal-human interface in Anambra State, Nigeria. Int J One Health 2018;4:28-34. AbstractAim: Brucellosis is an important bacterial zoonosis devastating both animal and human populations in many parts of the world. A seroepidemiological study of avian Brucella infection was conducted to determine the disease prevalence, risk factors, and hence the role of chicken in the epidemiology of brucellosis in Anambra State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods:Rose Bengal plate test was used to test for Brucella antibody in sera samples collected from 410 chickens surveyed. The interview schedule was used to elicit information on the socioeconomic status, awareness of brucellosis and predisposing practices of poultry farmers, live bird sellers, and poultry carcass processors in the study area.Results: An overall seroprevalence of 3% was recorded. Sex (female), free-range management system, breed (indigenous breed), and mix farming were the determinants of avian brucellosis in the state. Risk factors that may enhance human Brucella infection at the animal-human interface are non-use of personal protective clothing; poor awareness on brucellosis and methods of the disease spread or control, cohabitation with animals, and eating while on duty. Conclusion:Chicken may be among the reservoirs of Brucella infection in Anambra State. There is an urgent need for an effective control program against brucellosis in the study area, using a coordinated One Health approach bearing in mind the public health and economic consequences of brucellosis.

Prevalence, toxigenic potential and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Staphylococcus isolated from ready-to-eat meats

“…In addition, CoNS organisms may develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs due to the frequent exposure to low doses of the drugs as a result of imprudent use of antimicrobials in medical practice or animal agriculture [ 3 ]. Antimicrobial-resistant CoNS are reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance genes [ 1 , 2 ], transferrable to zoonotic or pathogenic organisms or to humans, through consumption of contaminated foods of animal origin [ 4 - 7 ], such as ready-to-eat (RTE) meats.…”

Brucella seropositivity in slaughter food animals and role of slaughterhouse workers in spread of Brucella infection in Southeast Nigeria

“…In view of the low infective dose of B. melitensis , estimated at 10 - 100 colony-forming units [ 12 , 13 , 31 , 32 ], their potential for aerosol dissemination [ 31 ] and the ability of the organisms to cause protracted and incapacitating disease of enormous public health and economic consequences [ 12 , 14 ]; there is need for a coordinated brucellosis prevention and control programs in the study area to limit the spread of Brucella infection. Such programs must include awareness creation on the mode of acquisition or spread of Brucella infection, as well as the public health and economic consequences associated with the disease.…”

“…B. melitensis is by far the most virulent Brucella organism and the genus with the highest zoonotic potential [ 11 ]. The organism has a very low infective dose of just about 10 organisms [ 12 , 13 ], capable of penetrating a host through skin abrasion [ 14 ] and causing brucellosis in a broad host range (goats, sheep, cattle and humans) under natural conditions [ 6 , 14 ]. Infertility problems such as middle or late-term abortion, birth of weak/unthrifty neonates and repeat breeder syndrome are major clinical manifestations of brucellosis in food animals leading to mass or frequent culling of infected animals for slaughter.…”

“…Although B. ovis is the principal agent of ovine brucellosis, the agent has not been associated with any case of human brucellosis [ 13 ]. B. melitensis and B. abortus are the most important and most frequent causes of human brucellosis often implicated in most cases of the human disease worldwide [ 12 , 18 ]. Human brucellosis is a disease of variable manifestations, with severe debilitating complications that warrant prolonged therapy with antibiotic combinations.…”

“…Although brucellosis has been controlled in most industrialized nations, the disease has become a neglected zoonosis in some tropical or developing countries due to lack of sustainability in the disease prevention and control programs [ 10 , 12 ]. Consequently, brucellosis has continued to ravage these parts of the world, where livestock farming is coincidentally a major employer of labor and source of livelihood [ 11 , 14 ].…”