Prevalence of brucellosis in indigenous cattle breeds in Nsukka Agricultural Zone, Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

Brucellosis is a zoonotic bacterial disease prevalent in Nigeria. However there are few reports of it in local cattle breeds. In order to determine the prevalence and risk factors for the disease in Muturu and Ndama breeds of cattle in Nsukka Agricultural Zone, Enugu State, Nigeria, a cross-sectional study was conducted. Blood samples from the herds were collected via snowball sampling, and the characteristics of each herd observed and noted. Using the conventional and modified Rose Bengal Test (RBT), sera from the samples were tested for brucellosis and the positive samples retested with the cELISA. The standard RBT recorded zero prevalence. In contrast, the modified RBT indicated individual animal and herd prevalence of 34.78 and 42.10%, respectively and 45.3 and 42.10% of these were supported by the cELISA test. It was observed that the herd size (p = 0.019) and presence of calves (0.0049) were all significantly associated with the prevalence of brucellosis in the herds. The study found brucellosis to be prevalent in the herds screened. However, more research is required to determine why the reactive antibody levels in the positive animals were low. To get local herd owners to accept preventive health practices, it is necessary to educate farmers on brucellosis.