Spatiotemporal distribution of human brucellosis in Inner Mongolia, China, in 2010–2015, and influencing factors

Human brucellosis is caused by Brucella species and remains a major burden in both human and domesticated animal populations, especially in Inner Mongolia, China. The aims of this study were to analyze the spatiotemporal trends in human brucellosis in Inner Mongolia during 2010 to 2015, to explore the factors affecting the incidence of brucellosis. The results showed that the annual incidence was 29.68–77.67 per 100,000, and peaked from March to June. The majority of human brucellosis was male farmers and herdsmen, aged 40–59 years. The high-risk areas were mainly Xilin Gol League and Hulunbeier City. The incidence of human brucellosis in Inner Mongolia decreased during 2010 to 2015, although the middle and eastern regions were still high-risk areas. The regions with larger number of sheep and cattle, lower GDP per capita, less number of hospital beds, higher wind speed, lower mean temperature more likely to become high-risk areas of human brucellosis.

Prevalence of Brucellosis in Cattle under Different Management Systems in Mbale District, Eastern Region of Uganda

The research study was conducted on prevalence of Brucellosis in cattle under different management systems in Mbale District, Eastern Region of Uganda. The research design adopted was a purposive sampling. 48 respondents from different farms were selected using a random sampling to allow equal representation of the farms. The data were collected using both blood samples and questionnaires. A total of 78 serum samples collected from different cattle were serologically assessed using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and Serum Agglutination Test (SAT). The high sero-prevalence of 37.5% was recorded in female cows followed by male bulls (20.0%) and female calves (20.0%). Bull calves and heifers showed negative result with RBPT and SAT (0.0%). A total of 24(30.7%) and 22(28.2%) were recorded for RBPT and SAT respectively. However, although there was higher prevalence of Brucellosis in communal grazing than the rest of other grazing systems, there was no statistical significant difference between Brucellosis and grazing systems (p>0.05). Similarly, considering the type of breeding methods of fertilization, there was a statistically significant relationship between the type of breeding (artificial and natural insemination) methods and management system practiced (p<0.05). The study concluded that contamination of common grazing environment was due to aborted foetuses which is accompanied by shedding of large number of Brucella species and that there was lack of knowledge on the causative agents, as well as mode of transmission. The researchers recommend that cattle grazing systems that limit mixing of herds should be encouraged to reduce the contamination of common grazing environment.

Serological and bacteriological evaluation of brucellosis in milk of small ruminants

Brucellosis continues to be a serious infection to human and animal populations in developing countries with detrimental impacts on public health and food animal production. This work aimed to estimate the prevalence of brucellosis in sheep and goats’ raw milk samples at Kirkuk Governorate, Iraq by identifying anti-Brucella antibodies and isolation of Brucella species. A total of 430 raw milk samples (210 sheep milk and 220 goats’ milk) were randomly collected from dairy females during the period from July to December 2019. The results showed an overall prevalence of Brucella antibodies in 12.3% and 10.7% of animals according to MRT and indirect ELISA, respectively. The overall isolation of Brucella species from raw milk samples was 10.0%. The isolated species of Brucella were B. abortus (37.2%) and B. melitensis (62.8%). An observable increase in occurrence during autumn (September to November) was detected, while autumn progress was associated with declining in brucellosis. In conclusion, brucellosis is still a significant public health hazard in Kirkuk Governorate. Based on test performance, the study recommends MRT as a rapid screening test for detecting brucellosis in milk in farms, centres, and dairy factories. Consumers are also recommended to sufficiently pasteurize the milk in order to kill this milk-borne pathogen before consumption.

Investigation of Brucellosis Using Molecular and Serological Tools in Selected Sites of Maekel Region, Eritrea

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease primarily affecting animals and accidentally exposed humans. In Eritrea, brucellosis endemicity is proven by several sero-prevalence studies in domestic animals and occupationally exposed humans. However, there is a gap of information on the commonly occurring brucella species and cause of human/animal brucellosis. The objective of this study is to identify brucella species in sheep and goats which possibly pose risk to human brucellosis. Out of a total 71 serum and 71 vaginal swab samples collected from sheep and goats, eight serum samples by Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and 4 vaginal swabs by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were found positive for brucellosis. Combinatorial PCR detected Br. melitensis from the four PCR positive samples. Questionnaire interviews collected from 68 confirmed brucellosis patients showed that habits of drinking unpasteurized yoghurt and raw milk and handling of aborted materials were common. This investigation study suggests, Br. melitensis could be the major cause of brucellosis in humans and animals in Maekel region Eritrea. Therefore, a large-scale epidemiological study is recommended to confirm the true extent of the problem in animals and humans.

A Novel Close-tube Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Assay for Rapid Detection of Brucella

Background: Brucellosis is one of the important diseases affecting both human as well as livestock. Rapid diagnosis of the pathogen is highly essential for undertaking effective therapeutic measures. Loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay, one of the robust nucleic acid detection platforms, is used especially for rapid disease diagnosis. However, persistent contamination has been the major bottleneck in LAMP which can be eliminated with adoption of appropriate closed-tube formats.Methods: In the present report, two sets of LAMP primers targeting omp2b gene of Brucella were designed and standardized for detection of all the major Brucella spp. Result: There was absence of amplification in any of the non-Brucella species in contrast to detection of white precipitation in unaided eye in daylight as well as greenish fluorescence under ultraviolet light in all of the Brucella species. It was found to be more sensitive than conventional PCR as relative sensitivity was found to be 0.34pg for first set of primers and 34fg for second set of primers, as compared to 3.4pg through bcsp31 PCR.

Genital Brucella suis Biovar 2 Infection of Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) Hunted in Tuscany (Italy)

Brucellosis is a zoonosis caused by different Brucella species. Wild boar (Sus scrofa) could be infected by some species and represents an important reservoir, especially for B. suis biovar 2. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Brucella spp. by serological and molecular assays in wild boar hunted in Tuscany (Italy) during two hunting seasons. From 287 animals, sera, lymph nodes, livers, spleens, and reproductive system organs were collected. Within sera, 16 (5.74%) were positive to both rose bengal test (RBT) and complement fixation test (CFT), with titres ranging from 1:4 to 1:16 (corresponding to 20 and 80 ICFTU/mL, respectively). Brucella spp. DNA was detected in four lymph nodes (1.40%), five epididymides (1.74%), and one fetus pool (2.22%). All positive PCR samples belonged to Brucella suis biovar 2. The results of this investigation confirmed that wild boar represents a host for B.suis biovar. 2 and plays an important role in the epidemiology of brucellosis in central Italy. Additionally, epididymis localization confirms the possible venereal transmission.

Host Immune Responses and Pathogenesis to Brucella spp. Infection

Brucellosis, caused by the facultative intracellular bacteria Brucella species, is one the most prevalent zoonoses worldwide [...]