Brucellosis among smallholder cattle farmers in Zambia

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was performed in Southern and Lusaka provinces of Zambia between March and September 2008 to estimate Brucella seroprevalence in cattle kept by smallholder dairy farmers (n = 185). Rose Bengal test (RBT) was used as a screening test followed by confirmation with competitive ELISA (c-ELISA). We investigated 1,323 cattle, of which 383 had a history of receiving vaccination against brucellosis and 36 had a history of abortion. Overall seroprevalence was 6.0% with areas where vaccination was practiced having low seroprevalence. Age was associated with Brucella seropositivity (P = 0.03) unlike cattle breed (P = 0.21) and sex (P = 0.32). At area level, there was a negative correlation (Corr. coeff = -0.74) between percentage of animals with brucellosis vaccination history (vaccination coverage) and level of brucellosis; percentage of animals with history of abortion (Corr. coeff. = -0.82) and brucellosis vaccination coverage. However, a positive correlation existed between brucellosis infection levels with percentage of animals having a history of abortion (Corr. coeff. = 0.72). History of vaccination against brucellosis was positively associated with a positive Brucella result on RBT (P = 0.004) whereby animals with history of vaccination against brucellosis were more likely to give a positive RBT test results (OR = 1.52). However, the results of c-ELISA were independent of history of Brucella vaccination (P = 0.149) but was positively associated with history of abortion (OR = 4.12). Our results indicate a relatively low Brucella seroprevalence in cattle from smallholder dairy farmers and that vaccination was effective in reducing cases of Brucella infections and Brucella-related abortions. Human exposure to Brucella through milk from smallholder farmers could result through milk traded on the informal market since that milk is not processed and there no quality and safety controls.

Prevalence and risk factor's analysis of bovine brucellosis in peri-urban areas under intensive system of production in Gujarat, India

“…This was also supported by observation of Muma . [45] who found negative correlation of vaccine history with prevalence of brucellosis. Further, unrestricted movement of animals [46] and purchase of animals for farm replacement or breeding [36,[47][48] and removal of sero-positive reactors after testing [49] are considered to be important risk factors for introduction of infection.…”

Practices of traditional beef farmers in their production and marketing of cattle in Zambia

“…Commercial beef farmers are defined as farmers who own large herds of mostly exotic breeds of cattle and contribute the remaining 16% (Sinkala et al 2014). Commercial beef farms are mostly situated along rail lines on large pieces of titled land, while traditional beef farmers are scattered in rural areas, often practising communal grazing on land held in trust by traditional leaders (Muma et al 2011;Muuka et al 2012).…”

Bovine Tuberculosis and Brucellosis in Traditionally Managed Livestock in Selected Districts of Southern Province of Zambia

“…BTB and brucellosis in cattle might lead to reduced productivity, increased risk of abortion, and lowered calving rates resulting in decreased milk production [23–25]. In Zambia, BTB has been shown to be one of the major leading causes of carcass condemnations in some abattoirs while Brucella infections account for high proportion of cattle abortions [26].…”