Sero-epidemiology and associated risk factors of brucellosis among sheep and goat population in the south western Nepal: a comparative study

Abstract Background Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Brucella spp. In Nepal, the presence of brucellosis in small ruminants, namely sheep and goats, has impacted farmers’ livelihood and the food safety of consumers. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Rupandehi district of Nepal duri...

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Main Authors: Tulsi Ram Gompo, Rubina Shah, Ishwari Tiwari, Yam Bahadur Gurung
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2021-03-01
Series:BMC Veterinary Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-021-02835-8
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author Tulsi Ram Gompo
Rubina Shah
Ishwari Tiwari
Yam Bahadur Gurung
author_facet Tulsi Ram Gompo
Rubina Shah
Ishwari Tiwari
Yam Bahadur Gurung
author_sort Tulsi Ram Gompo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Brucella spp. In Nepal, the presence of brucellosis in small ruminants, namely sheep and goats, has impacted farmers’ livelihood and the food safety of consumers. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Rupandehi district of Nepal during January to March 2020 to investigate the seroepidemiology and associated risk factors of brucellosis in the sheep and goat population. Altogether, 19 sheep and 60 goat farms in the district were visited. Owners were interviewed to get information on animals, including their management and movement patterns. Three hundred fifty-seven samples (80 sheep and 277 goat samples) were collected proportionately based on farm sizes. Each serum sample was tested with Rose Bengal Test and ELISA to estimate the seropositivity of brucellosis. Logistic regression was carried out to calculate corresponding odds ratios of each variable associated with detection of brucellosis. Results At the farm level, 31.6% (6/19; 95% CI: 12, 54%) of sheep farms and 3.3% (2/60, 95% CI: 0.9, 11.4%) of goat farms were seropositive to brucellosis. Out of 80 sheep serum samples, 12 (15%; 95% CI: 8.79–24.41%) and out of 277 goat serum samples, three (1.1%; 95% CI: 0.37–3.14%) were seropositive to brucellosis. Age greater than 1.5 years (OR = 5.56, 95% CI: 1.39, 29.38; p = 0.02) and herd size of greater than 100 (OR = 4.74, 95% CI: 1.23, 20.32, p = 0.03) were identified as significant risk factors for seropositivity of brucellosis in the sheep population. While in the goat population, none of the variables was identified as a significant risk factor. Conclusion The study provides evidence that the older sheep and the sheep from the large herds were at higher risk of brucellosis. A control program should be put in place immediately in the sheep population because they may transmit infections to other livestock as they were regularly moved for grazing and selling purposes. Also, strict biosecurity measures should be implemented among pastoralists to prevent brucellosis transmission in them. We suggest further one health-based study to reveal the transmission dynamics of brucellosis between animals and humans.
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spelling doaj.art-22888adfaeef48eaa4fb5b8bf2115b972022-12-21T22:42:13ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482021-03-0117111010.1186/s12917-021-02835-8Sero-epidemiology and associated risk factors of brucellosis among sheep and goat population in the south western Nepal: a comparative studyTulsi Ram Gompo0Rubina Shah1Ishwari Tiwari2Yam Bahadur Gurung3Central Veterinary LaboratoryInstitute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan UniversityInstitute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan UniversityInstitute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan UniversityAbstract Background Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Brucella spp. In Nepal, the presence of brucellosis in small ruminants, namely sheep and goats, has impacted farmers’ livelihood and the food safety of consumers. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Rupandehi district of Nepal during January to March 2020 to investigate the seroepidemiology and associated risk factors of brucellosis in the sheep and goat population. Altogether, 19 sheep and 60 goat farms in the district were visited. Owners were interviewed to get information on animals, including their management and movement patterns. Three hundred fifty-seven samples (80 sheep and 277 goat samples) were collected proportionately based on farm sizes. Each serum sample was tested with Rose Bengal Test and ELISA to estimate the seropositivity of brucellosis. Logistic regression was carried out to calculate corresponding odds ratios of each variable associated with detection of brucellosis. Results At the farm level, 31.6% (6/19; 95% CI: 12, 54%) of sheep farms and 3.3% (2/60, 95% CI: 0.9, 11.4%) of goat farms were seropositive to brucellosis. Out of 80 sheep serum samples, 12 (15%; 95% CI: 8.79–24.41%) and out of 277 goat serum samples, three (1.1%; 95% CI: 0.37–3.14%) were seropositive to brucellosis. Age greater than 1.5 years (OR = 5.56, 95% CI: 1.39, 29.38; p = 0.02) and herd size of greater than 100 (OR = 4.74, 95% CI: 1.23, 20.32, p = 0.03) were identified as significant risk factors for seropositivity of brucellosis in the sheep population. While in the goat population, none of the variables was identified as a significant risk factor. Conclusion The study provides evidence that the older sheep and the sheep from the large herds were at higher risk of brucellosis. A control program should be put in place immediately in the sheep population because they may transmit infections to other livestock as they were regularly moved for grazing and selling purposes. Also, strict biosecurity measures should be implemented among pastoralists to prevent brucellosis transmission in them. We suggest further one health-based study to reveal the transmission dynamics of brucellosis between animals and humans.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-021-02835-8BrucellosisZoonotic diseaseNepalSheep and goatLivelihoodRisk factors
spellingShingle Tulsi Ram Gompo
Rubina Shah
Ishwari Tiwari
Yam Bahadur Gurung
Sero-epidemiology and associated risk factors of brucellosis among sheep and goat population in the south western Nepal: a comparative study
BMC Veterinary Research
Brucellosis
Zoonotic disease
Nepal
Sheep and goat
Livelihood
Risk factors
title Sero-epidemiology and associated risk factors of brucellosis among sheep and goat population in the south western Nepal: a comparative study
title_full Sero-epidemiology and associated risk factors of brucellosis among sheep and goat population in the south western Nepal: a comparative study
title_fullStr Sero-epidemiology and associated risk factors of brucellosis among sheep and goat population in the south western Nepal: a comparative study
title_full_unstemmed Sero-epidemiology and associated risk factors of brucellosis among sheep and goat population in the south western Nepal: a comparative study
title_short Sero-epidemiology and associated risk factors of brucellosis among sheep and goat population in the south western Nepal: a comparative study
title_sort sero epidemiology and associated risk factors of brucellosis among sheep and goat population in the south western nepal a comparative study
topic Brucellosis
Zoonotic disease
Nepal
Sheep and goat
Livelihood
Risk factors
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-021-02835-8
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