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.

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of mycoplasmosis in layer chickens at southern region of Bangladesh

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is the most important pathogenic Mycoplasma spp. causing avian mycoplasmosis and brought about huge economic losses to poultry industry in Bangladesh. The present study was undertaken to know the seroprevalence of MG in layer birds in three different geographical areas of southern Barishal division, Bangladesh. Total 310 sera samples were collected from wing vein of 30 farms for this study. Sera samples were tested with Rapid Serum Agglutination (RSA) for MG using commercial Antigen Kit (manufactured by Lillidale Diagnostic) to detect the presence of antibodies against MG. The overall seroprevalence of MG by RSA was 36.13%. Seroprevalence of MG infection was dominant in winter season (45.54%) and significantly highest occurrence was recorded in age groups from 20-40 weeks of layer chickens (51.79%). Serological investigation in three different upazila of Barishal division showed the highest infection rate (45.26%) in medium scale flocks (1000-3000) in comparison to (21.43%) small (<1000) flocks. The seroprevalence of MG was highest in Swarupkathi (44.38%) than in Barishal Sadar (26%) and Banaripara upazila (28%). Biosecurity and managemental failure is the overall risk factor in all types of farm due to lack of proper knowledge among farmer. This study reveals the current scenario of mycoplasmosis in layer birds of three different areas of Barishal division. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2021, 7 (3), 292-297

Sero-Prevalence of Brucellosis in Occupationally High-Risk Groups in Three Different Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Objectives: Brucellosis is a neglected zoonotic disease in Pakistan, but it causes immense impact on livestock and public health. This study was done to determine the prevalence of Brucellosis in occupationally high-risk groups encompassing butchers, milkers, and cattle caretakers in district Swabi, Mardan, and Peshawar of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 300 blood samples were collected through a non-probability purposive sampling technique from occupationally high-risk groups including butchers, milkers, and cattle caretakers at district Swabi, Mardan, and Peshawar from December 1, 2017, to March 31, 2018. All the blood samples were centrifuged and the serum was separated for further testing. Serum agglutination test was used for the detection of Brucellosis and the reagents used for this method were purchased from Biosciences PTE Ltd, Singapore. Results: Out of 300 blood samples, 111 samples were positive and the overall prevalence of Brucellosis was 37% in occupationally high-risk groups. The overall 37% prevalence of Brucellosis comprised of 70% of B. abortus, 21.6% of B. melitensis, and 8.1% of both B. abortus and B. melitensis simultaneously. The prevalence of Brucellosis in butchers was 27.6%, milkers 13.3%, and cattle caretakers 45.7% while prevalence in males was 33% and in females 39.6%. The prevalence of Brucellosis in district Swabi was 45%, Mardan 33.3%, and Peshawar 30%. The socio demographic factors including age group, occupation, and locality showed statistically significant results. Conclusion: The prevalence of Brucellosis is considerably higher in occupationally high-risk groups in district Swabi, Mardan, and Peshawar, Pakistan.

Chronic prostatitis in a dog infected with a smooth strain of Brucella spp.

Dogs may be occasionally infected by smooth strains of Brucella spp. The infection is usually associated with the ingestion of contaminated material from parturition or abortion, or other tissues from infected farm animals, particularly cattle and pigs. A 6-year-old, male mixed breed dog from a rural area was admitted at a veterinary clinic for clinical examination. The dog had bilateral perineal hernia with dysuria and dyschezia, as well as small firm testicles with scrotal adhesions. Serological tests, including buffered plate antigen, serum agglutination test, and 2-mercaptoethanol test, were positive for smooth Brucella spp. strains, whereas a rapid slide agglutination test was negative for B. canis. Blood and prostate tissue samples yielded no bacterial isolates. Histopathology demonstrated interstitial lymphoplasmacytic and histiocytic infiltration of the prostate gland, with fibrosis and occasional disruption of glandular architecture. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated abundant Brucella spp. antigens in the cytoplasm of macrophages. This report supports the notion that not only B. canis, but also smooth Brucella spp. must be considered in the differential diagnosis of prostatitis in dogs.

Seroprevalence of Brucella infection in small ruminants from two institutional farms and a slaughter slab in Zaria, Nigeria

Brucellosis has continued to become a disease of major economic concern in developing countries. In a study to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis in small ruminants in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria, 1036 samples comprising 768 goats from institutional farms (n=384) and a slaughter slab (n=384), and 268 sheep all from institutional farms were used. The sera samples obtained from the animals were subjected to the Modified Rose Bengal Plate Test (m-RBPT) followed by Serum Agglutination Test with ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (SAT-EDTA) for Brucella antibodies detection. Milk samples were collected from lactating sheep and goats and subjected to the Milk Ring Test (MRT) for detection of Brucella antibodies. Results of the study revealed an overall seroprevalence rate of 6.37%, 8.90% and 12.96% for m-RBPT, SAT-EDTA and MRT, respectively. The seroprevalence in sheep and goats showed significant species difference (P < 0.05) for m-RBPT (10.05% vs 5.08%), but insignificant (P > 0.05) species difference for SAT-EDTA (9.33% vs 8.72%) and MRT (15.00% vs 11.76%) respectively. The seroprevalence in males and females showed insignificant sex difference (P > 0.05) for m-RBPT (6.59% vs 6.21%) and SAT-EDTA (7.76% vs 9.66%). On the other hand, the seroprevalence was higher in young (< 1 year old) than adult (> 1 year old) animals for SAT-EDTA (15.32% vs 8.11%). The seroprevalence in Red Sokoto, Sahel and West African Dwarf goats showed significant breed difference (P < 0.05) for m-RBPT (4.59% vs 5.55% vs 8.33%) and SAT-EDTA (6.80% vs 16.67% vs 12.50%). It was concluded that the seroprevalence of brucellosis was higher in sheep, Sahel goats and younger animals. To understand the pattern and dynamics of transmission of brucellosis in different groups of animals, there is the need for further studies to identify the Brucella species circulating in small ruminants. Keywords: Antibodies, Brucellosis, m-RBPT, SAT-EDTA, Small ruminants

Molecular Identification of Leptospira interrogans in Naturally Infected Cows from a Rural Property in the Border Region - Case Report

The aim of this study was to investigate the antibodies and DNA of Leptospira spp. isolated from infected cattle in a small rural dairy farm in a border region between Brazil and Paraguay. Blood and urine samples were collected from 50 Holstein cows aged between 1 and 15 years. The diagnostic tests performed were microscopic serum agglutination for antibody detection and polymerase chain reaction for Leptospira spp. detection. Out of the samples analyzed, 48% were MAT positive with titers ranging from 100 to 400, and the most prevalent antibody was to the serovar Hardjo. One serum sample was amplified to 549 bp for the sec y gene, and sequencing identified it as L. interrogans. This is the first report from northwestern Paraná (PR) State of L. interrogans identification in naturally infected milk cattle. Thus, based on these results, to enhance production efficiency, new serological and molecular studies on dairy cattle from border regions are required to characterize the epidemiology of possible genotypes and their consequences in affected herds.

Obtaining bunny hyperimmune serum for Haemophilus influenzae

This brief report describes the approaches and results of obtaining rabbit hyperimmune sera for Haemophilus influenzae. Key words: Haemophilus influenzae, hyperimmune serum, agglutination

Associated factors in distinguishing patients with brucellosis from suspected cases

Background To investigate the risk factors for brucellosis in suspected cases of the disease. Methods A self-designed questionnaire was developed to collect data from 3557 people whose initial visit site was the Songyuan Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from January 1st, 2009 to December 31st, 2012. After collecting blood samples, a plate agglutination test (PAT) and serum agglutination test (SAT) were used to distinguish the patients with brucellosis from the suspected cases. Results Sex, occupation (farmers and herdsmen), contact with abortion products, and contact with feces were the main risk factors for brucellosis in the suspected cases (all P < 0.05). No difference existed between the confirmed cases and suspected cases in the demographic characteristics, contact with animals (except swine), contact with substances, or clinical symptoms (except fever). However, the confirmed cases showed significant differences from people without brucellosis in demographic characteristics, contact with animals (except cattle and swine), contact with substances, and clinical symptoms. Suspected cases exhibited significant differences from people without brucellosis in the demographic characteristics (except education), contact with animals (except swine), contact with substances (except dust), and clinical symptoms (except chills and acratia). Brucella was cultured from the blood samples of three of 30 suspected cases with fever. Using AMOS-PCR and agarose electrophoresis, the detailed species of Brucella strain was identified as Brucella melitensis. Conclusions Abortion products and feces are the main risk factors for brucellosis in suspected cases of the disease. Pyrexia in suspected cases with a history of contact with abortion products or feces should raise suspicion for the disease.

Comparative evaluation of nested PCR for diagnosis of human brucellosis

Objectives: Brucellosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease with high morbidity in the absence of treatment. The early diagnosis of brucellosis is efficient to prevent chronic infections. The aim of this study is evaluation of nested PCR efficiency in comparison with conventional methods for diagnosis of human brucellosis. A total of 120 patients with brucellosis symptoms were included in this study. Serological and microbiological tests and nested PCR were used for detection of Brucella bacteria. Results: Based on serological tests, 60.83% (73/120) of individuals were positive for brucellosis which only 8.33% of cases were confirmed by blood culture. Among them, 55% of cases were positive in serum agglutination test (SAT≥1:160) and Coombs (C-SAT≥1:160) tests. Furthermore, 7 negative SAT cases were positive in C-SAT as evidence for chronic brucellosis. Also, 68.18% and 56.06% of SAT positive samples were positive in blood nested PCR and serum nested PCR respectively. The sensitivity of blood nested PCR was more than serum nested PCR, SAT≥1:160 and blood culture (P<0.001). The specificity of the blood and serum nested PCR was 100% compared with blood culture and SAT≥ 1:160. Our findings highlight high performance of nested PCR for diagnosis of both acute and chronic brucellosis.