Detection of Brucellosis in dairy cows at Goshta and Mohmand Dara Districts of Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan

Abstract

Background: Brucellosis is an infectious zoonotic diseases caused by a gram-negative, facultative, intracellular bacterial organism of the genus Brucella that is harmful to many animal and human species. The purpose of this study was to assess the detection of Brucellosis as well as potential risk variables linked with districts, breeds (Local, HF, and Jersey) and age (2-4, 5-7, and more than 7 years). Materials and Methods: In the current investigation, 150 blood and milk samples were obtained from the districts of Goshta and Mohmand Dara and analyzed for Brucella antibodies using the Milk Ring Test (MRT), the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT), and the Standard Tube Agglutination Test (STAT). Findings: A total of 150 samples were evaluated for this investigation, and 30 (20%) of them tested positive for brucellosis. Among these 30 positive cases, 19 (63.33%) were positive in Goshta district and 11 (15.7%) were positive in Mohmand Dara district. Out of 30 positive samples, 19 (63.33%) were positive in local dairy cows, 5 (16.66%) in HF, and 6 (20.00%) in Jersey breeds. According to results of present study, a significant association was documented between brucellosis and age of the dairy cows as higher prevalence was recorded for 5-7 years old (X2=10.500, P=0.005). In a comparison of serum and milk antibody detection assays, it was found that serum had a greater antibody detection rate than milk. Conclusion: This study uses MRT, RBPT, and STAT as screening tools to add some information about the frequency of brucellosis in dairy cows breeds that are available in the Mohmand Dara and Goshta areas. The prevalence of brucellosis was higher in local dairy cows compared to other dairy breeds. Brucellosis' significance to the dairy sector and its possible effects on people's health such as zoonotic effects, antibiotics resistance, relapse of the diseases, prolonged treatment duration, side effects of antibiotics and limited treatment options during pregnancy.