Seroprevalence of Brucellosis and Coxiellosis in a Linked Study Population in Egypt
Mayada Gwida *
Department of Hygiene and Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
Maged El- Ashker
Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
Amal Awad
Department of Bacteriology, Mycology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, 35516, Egypt.
Iahtasham Khan
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
Adel El Gohary
Department of Hygiene and Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: To estimate the prevalence of brucellosis and coxiellosis in different household livestock where the current epidemiological data are still limited.
Study Design: A cross sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Hygiene and Zoonosis laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, during 2018.
Methodology: The study included 1400 female animals, consisting of buffaloes (n=500), cattle (n=500), sheep (n= 250), camels (n = 100), goats (n= 50) as well as their contact owners (n= 25). A blood sample was drawn from each animal as well as their contact owners and was tested for Brucella (using Rose Bengal Brucella antigen and i-ELISA) and for Coxiella burnetii antibodies (using i-ELISA).
Results: The results demonstrated different rates of seropositivity among the examined animals. In total, 308 (22%) out of 1400 serum samples were tested positive for Brucella antibody in both RBT and i-ELISA. Of those, 99/500 (19.8%) came from buffaloes, 110/500 (22%) from cows, 70/250 (28%) from sheep, 19/100 (19%) from camels and 10/50 (20%) from goats. C. burnetii antibodies were detected in 104/ 500 (20.8%) buffalo samples, 80/500 (16%) of cattle, 50/250 (20%) of sheep, 20/100 (20%) of camels and 5/50 (10%) of goats. One hundred thirty nine cases out of 1400 (9.9%) harboured antibodies against Brucella spp. and C. burnetii. Only five cases (20%) among contact owners were tested positive for Brucella infection by using RBT and IgG ELISA; however, all tested human sera were negative for C. burnetii antibodies.
Conclusion: The study indicated a wide distribution of both infections in the study area and demonstrated an intense transmission within the studied livestock population.
Keywords: Brucellosis, Egypt, i-ELISA, livestock, coxiellosis, public health.