Vol. 7, Issue 4 (2018)

Author(s):
Shiva Jyothi, Kalyani Putty, Narasimha Reddy Y, Dhanalakshmi K, Ramani Pushpa, Satya Samparna Raut and Hannan Umair

Abstract:
Brucellosis is a highly infectious zoonotic disease and an economically important infection of humans and livestock with a worldwide distribution. It is a major veterinary and human public health problem in most parts of the world. The main pathogenic species worldwide are B. abortus, responsible for bovine brucellosis; B. melitensis, the main etiologic agent of ovine and caprine brucellosis; and B. suis, responsible for swine brucellosis. Hence, in the present study we have aimed at finding out the seroprevalence of Brucellosis in and around Hyderabad region. In the current study, a total of 105 (unvaccinated against Brucellosis) serum samples were collected from breeding bulls, calves more than 6 months of age, dams with a history of at least one abortion in dairy farms, and from animals presented at clinics suspected of Brucellosis. All the serum samples were subjected to Rose Bengal Plate Agglutination Test (RBPT), and Standard Tube Agglutination Test (STAT). The seroprevalence of brucellosis in the present study by RBPT, STAT was found to be 42% and 60%, respectively. Indirect ELISA when performed on samples collected from unorganized farms (N=33) revealed that 75.75% were positive among the sera samples tested and proved to be equally sensitive with STAT. Out of the 17 sera samples from breeding bulls, 6 samples were found to be seropositive for Brucellosis. Milk samples (28) were also collected from the above herds and tested for Brucellosis by Abortus Bang Ring (ABR) test, out of which 20 were found positive. Moreover, 7 workers in the tested herds were also found to be seropositive for Brucellosis. The present study thus reveals high incidence of Brucella spp antibodies in the herds which could be due to presence of infected bulls, carrier dams, and or poor management practices in herds. These findings suggest strict management practices like vaccination frequent screening and prompt culling of infected animals for effective disease control in herds.