Serological and Molecular Detection of Bovine Brucellosis at Institutional Livestock Farms in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Bovine brucellosis remains a persistent infection in ruminants in Pakistan. A total of 828 (409 buffaloes and 419 cattle) sera were collected from 11 institutional-owned livestock farms in Punjab, Pakistan. The samples were tested by rose bengal plate agglutination test (RBPT) and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). The seroprevalence along with 95% confidence interval (CI) was determined. Univariable and multivariable analysis of the epidemiological background data was conducted and odds ratio (OR) was calculated to understand any association between the risk factors and the seroprevalence. An overall seroprevalence of 3.9% (Positive/Tested = 32/828) and 3.3% (27/828) was detected by RBPT and iELISA, respectively. The seroprevalence of 5.6% (CI 3.6–8.3) and 4.7%, (CI 2.8–7.2) and the odds ratio of 2.63 (CI 1.20–5.77) and 2.50 (CI 1.08–5.78) for testing positive by RBPT and iELISA, respectively were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in buffaloes than in cattle. Breed, sex, history of abortion and retention of fetal membranes (RFM) in the animals were not found statistically significantly associated with the infection. RBPT and iELISA based results agreed almost perfect (k = 0.877). In total, Brucella abortus-DNA (9/27) was amplified from seropositive samples by real-time polymerase chain reaction. This study identified for the first time the etiological agents of brucellosis at a molecular level at institutional-owned livestock farms in Pakistan.

Epidemiology and Associated Risk Factors for Brucellosis in Small Ruminants Kept at Institutional Livestock Farms in Punjab, Pakistan

“…This could be related to the environmental factors including herd management system at these farms. Furthermore, small ruminants had a close contact with bovines at Farms (2, 5, 6, 7, and 8), where brucellosis was reported previously (21,23,35). Moreover, common grazing and watering areas, use of brucellosis positive males for breeding and introduction of new animals without testing could be the factors responsible for brucellosis incidence at these locations (36,37).…”

“…The total livestock population in the country is 142.8 millions, where small ruminants (sheep and goat) share 80.27 million heads ( 18 ). In the past, brucellosis has been reported in both large and small ruminants in Punjab, Pakistan ( 19 – 23 ). This study was aimed to ascertain the current status of brucellosis in small ruminants at institutional livestock farms located in Punjab.…”

Serological and Molecular Investigation of Brucellosis in Breeding Equids in Pakistani Punjab

“…The sera were tested with Pourquier ® Rose Bengale Ag (IDEXX, Montpellier, France) for Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT), followed by parallel testing with ID Screen ® Brucellosis Serum Indirect Multi-species (IDVet, Grabels, France) for indirect-Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (iELISA) and Complement Fixation Test (CFT) in the presence of positive and negative controls (provided by Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Jena, Germany) as per standard/manufacturer’s recommendations [ 7 , 21 , 22 ]. A titer >20 ICFTU/mL was considered as positive for CFT.…”

Seroprevalence and Molecular Identification of Brucella spp. in Bovines in Pakistan—Investigating Association With Risk Factors Using Machine Learning

“…In animals, the disease is characterized by full-term abortion, infertility, mastitis, and decreased milk production in females and orchitis/epididymitis in males (3,4). However, the infection may stay asymptomatic, and the infected animals may remain undiagnosed (1). Brucellosis is usually transmitted in animals either by contact or through ingestion of contaminated feed and water while in humans by either direct contact with infected animals or ingestion of contaminated animal products (1,(5)(6)(7)(8).…”

“…Brucellosis is a global widespread zoonotic disease caused by the Gram-negative, facultative intracellular bacterium Brucella ( 1 , 2 ). In animals, the disease is characterized by full-term abortion, infertility, mastitis, and decreased milk production in females and orchitis/epididymitis in males ( 3 , 4 ).…”