Sero-prevalence and Spatial pattern of Bovine Brucellosis of Chittagong Metropolitan Area

Abstract

Brucellosis is the most negligible endemic zoonosis in Bangladesh having significant impact on public health, animal welfare and socio-economy of dairy farming. A cross-sectional study on Brucella sero-prevalence was conducted in dairy cattle of Chittagong Metropolitan Area (CMA) of Chittagong, Bangladesh from February to November, 2015, to address the current status of the presence of antibodies in serum (sero-prevalence). A total of 158 serum samples were collected from six randomly selected dairy farms of Chittagong Metropolitan Area. The Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and the Competitive ELISA (cELISA) were used for screening and as confirmatory test, respectively. Farm level and animal level demographic data and suspected risk factor data were collected through questionnaire and tested if any of these factors were contributing to the sero-prevalence by univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis. At individual cow level, a total of 20.25% (n=32, N=158) samples were sero-positive in RBPT and 8.86% (n=14) in cELISA. Farm level prevalence were ranged from 10 to 26.3% and 5 to 20.7% in RBPT and cELISA, respectively. Among the study population, most common reproductive problem was retained placenta (7.59%) and 3.8% cows were suffering from repeat breeding. Final multivariable model revealed that lactating cows (27.54%; OR=2.59; 95% CI: 1.02-6.54; p=0.043) were significantly in high risk of being seropositive to Brucellosis. The risk of Brucella sero-positivity was varied significantly (p<0.05) according to the milk production of the population. The study demonstrates that brucellosis is endemic in the study area. However, there is probable risk of spread of the disease in the unaffected cattle population since there are no precautionary measures taken in the areas that should have been practiced by farmers. As a result, there is a need to boost up public awareness about the zoonosis and, design and implement control measures that will prevent further spread of the disease within and outside the study area.