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Seroprevalence of brucellosis and its associated risk factors in cattle from smallholder dairy farms in Zimbabwe

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Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate seroprevalence of brucellosis and the associated risk factors in cattle from smallholder dairy farms in Gokwe, Marirangwe, Mushagashe, Nharira, Rusitu and Wedza areas of Zimbabwe. A total of 1,440 cattle from 203 herds were tested serially for Brucella antibodies using Rose Bengal test and the competitive ELISA. Weighted seroprevalence estimates were calculated and risk factors in individual cattle investigated using logistic regression analysis. The overall individual animal brucellosis seroprevalence was low, with mean of 5.6% (95% confidence interval (CI), 4.4%, 6.8%). Gokwe had the highest individual (12.6%; 95% CI, 3.9%, 21.4%) and herd-level (40.0%; 95% CI, 22.1%, 58.0%), while Wedza had the lowest individual (2.3%; 95% CI, 0%, 5.3%) and herd-level (8.0%; 95% CI, 0.0%, 18.9%) brucellosis seroprevalence, respectively. In individual cattle, the area of origin, age and history of abortion were independently associated with brucellosis seroprevalence. While the seroprevalence was independent of sex, it decreased with increasing age. Cattle 2–4 years old had higher odds (odds ratio (OR) = 3.2; 95% CI, 1.1%, 9.1%) of being seropositive compared to those >7 years. Cows with a history of abortion were more likely to be seropositive (OR = 7.9; 95% CI, 3.1, 20.1) than controls. In conclusion, the area-to-area variation of brucellosis may be linked to ecological factors and differences in management practices. The implementation of stamping out policy, bleeding and testing animals before movement and promoting the use self-contained units are likely to significantly reduce the public health risks associated with Brucella infections in cattle.

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Abbreviations

c-ELISA:

Competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

CI:

Confidence intervals

DDP:

Dairy development programme

OR:

Odds ratio

RBT:

Rose Bengal test

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Acknowledgements

This study was sponsored by the Norwegian Council for Higher Education and Development (NUFU), project vote: pro/2002/06. We are grateful for the contribution of all the stakeholders involved in the project. Our sincere appreciation goes to all the farmers who allowed us to use their animals for this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Paraclinical Veterinary Studies, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP 167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe

    Gift Matope, Evison Bhebhe & Rachel L. Madekurozwa

  2. Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, P.O. Box 8146 Dep, 0033, Oslo, Norway

    Gift Matope, John Bwalya Muma, James Oloya & Eystein Skjerve

  3. Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, P. O. Box 32397, Lusaka, Zambia

    John Bwalya Muma

  4. Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda

    James Oloya

  5. Department of Animal Health, National Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 8156 Dep, 0033, Oslo, Norway

    Arve Lund

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  1. Gift Matope
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  2. Evison Bhebhe
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  3. John Bwalya Muma
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  4. James Oloya
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  5. Rachel L. Madekurozwa
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  6. Arve Lund
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  7. Eystein Skjerve
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Correspondence to John Bwalya Muma.

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Matope, G., Bhebhe, E., Muma, J.B. et al. Seroprevalence of brucellosis and its associated risk factors in cattle from smallholder dairy farms in Zimbabwe. Trop Anim Health Prod 43, 975–982 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-011-9794-4

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