Sero-prevalence of Brucellosis in Cattle and Related Human Population in District Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Brucellosis is one of the most widespread and contagious bacterial zoonotic diseases in the world posing a major threat to human health and animal husbandry. Sero-prevalence of brucellosis was investigated in District Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 886 blood samples were collected from animals (n=484) and humans (n=402). A total of 58 (11.98%) animal samples and human samples 25 (6.21%) were found positive for Brucellosis. The seropositive percentage was higher in buffaloes (12.02%) than in cows 7/60 (11.66%). In buffaloes, more females (12.07%) were found infected with brucellosis as compared to males (11.62%). Similarly, female cows showed higher seropositivity (13.20%) than male cows (0). The highest seroprevalence (19.23%) was observed in the age group 6–8 years. Seropositive animals with a history of previous abortion were (77.77%) while seropositive animals with no abortion history were (6.69%). In humans, prevalence percentage was greater in males (6.94%) than in females (5.81%). The age group 37-48 years showed the highest seroprevalence (9.91%). Aborted females showed higher seropositivity (45%) as compared to non-aborted females (2.52%). Sero-prevalence was recorded in 6.38% of individuals with animal contact and in 3.84% of individuals with no animal contact. Raw milk consumers (6.46%) and non-consumers (3.22%) were also found positive for Brucellosis. Different risk factors that may influence the prevalence of Brucellosis need to be considered for the control of the disease and to minimize its spreading in the population.