Epidemiology of Swine Brucellosis in Selected Districts of East Shewa Zone, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Our world has been threatened by numerous emerging and reemerging pathogenic diseases; these diseases are seriously affecting the well-being of human, animal health, and animal production. Most of them are zoonotic diseases and have great veterinary and public health impact, particularly in developing countries where people are having daily frequent contact with livestock and animal products. Brucellosis is one of them. A cross-sectional study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of swine brucellosis was carried out at Batu, Alage, and Naka village using serological tests. Accordingly, a total of 196 pigs were included in the study. Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) prepared from the smooth strain B. abortus antigen was used as a screening test, whereas Complement Fixation Test (CFT) was the confirmatory test for swine brucellosis. The results of the present study indicated that, of the total 196 serum samples from pigs, 10 (5.1%) were found to be positive by RBPT and 7 (3.6%) of them were further confirmed by CFT. On the other hand, age and history of obstetrical problems were the major risk factors for overall swine brucellosis seropositivity (p < 0.05). Thus, the present study suggests that swine brucellosis is prevalent in the study areas and the seropositivity could give an insight that brucellosis could pose public health hazard. Hence, this warrants public education and awareness, and further extensive epidemiological and molecular investigation is recommended.