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Abstract
SUMMARY Brucellosis is one of the most important zoonotic diseases which represent a serious problem due to economic losses and its public health significance.
The prevalence of brucella infection among different species of farm animals in Assiut Governorate was estimated by using Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), Buffered acidified plate antigen test (BAPAT), Tube agglutination test (TAT), Rivanol test (Riv.T.) and Enzyme linked immunosobent assay (ELISA).
A total number of 197 cattle blood samples were examined serologically. Brucellosis incidence all over Assiut Governorate was 3.5 %. The incidence rates in different localities were 17.64 %, 3.5 % and 2.17 % in El-Ghanaiem, El-Qussia and Assiut localities respectively. No positive results were detected in Manqbad and Abnoub localities. On the other hand, slaughter houses has the highest infection rate (7.14 %) followed by private flocks (1.63 %), while, Governmental farms did not record any infection rates in this study. A significant correlation between sexually mature animals and the rate of infection was observed. The incidence of brucellosis among cattle was varied according to sex from 0.00 % in males to 5.98 % in females.
Seroprevalence of brucella infection among 129 sheep blood samples was 11.6 % all over the Governorate. The infection rate in different localities was 33.33 %, 30.76 %, 15.15 % and 10 % in Dairout, El-Ghanaiem, El-Qusseia and Sahel-Sliem respectively. A highest attack rate (50 %) was observed among the age group (2.3- 2.6) years. A percentage of 37.5 %, 5.71 % and 3.57 % brucella positive reactors were recorded among those aged 1.9- 2 years, 2.9- 3 years and above 3 years respectively. The incidence of brucella infection was (12.19 %) in ewes while no positive cases were recorded in rams.
The prevalence of brucella infection among 107 examined goats was 0.93 % in Assiut Governorate. A percentage of 5.26 % positive reactors were recorded in El-Qussia locality. While, this study could not detect any positive reactors in other localities under examination. An incidence of 1.01 % was recorded among female goats. No significant correlation between the serologic status and age was observed due to the low number of positive reactors among goats.
The serological examination of 32 buffaloes’ sera did not detect any positive reactors. This obtained result upholds that buffaloes are somewhat resist the infection.
The role of theses animals in transmitting infection to humans was discussed. The public health hazard from detecting brucella antibodies in 7.3 % of the composite milk from 41 dairy cows was also clarified.
The prevalence of brucella infection among humans in Assiut Governorate was estimated by using Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), Tube agglutination test (TAT), and Enzyme linked immunosobent assay (ELISA).
The seroprevalence of brucellosis among humans in Assiut Governorate (32.2 %) indicates:
1- Subjects professionally exposed to livestock including farmers (40.3 %) and veterinarians (18.1 %) represent a high risk group for brucella infection. The positive butcher case that recorded in our study reflects the possibility of abattoir workers to contract infection.
2- Infections of the occupational groups including students (44.4 %), children (40 %), manual workers (14.2 %) and others (66.6 %) explains the role of consumption of raw infected and milk products in addition to, eating inadequately cooked meat, liver and spleen in spreading of that zoonosis among humans.
A higher brucella prevalence was recorded in men (36.6 %) than in women (26.78 %). Also, the rural population shows a higher infection rate (38.7 %) than the urban one (14.7 %) and this may be attributed to local dietary customs and habits. Intensification of the infection (40 %) among the age group less than 16 years gives a spot light on the serious role of raw milk and milk products in the epidemiology of brucellosis among humans in Assiut Governorate.
Moreover, the need of a regular investigation must be stressed in order to determine the extent of brucella infection among humans and farm animals. Indirect ELISA proved to be the most superior test in term of sensitivity and high specificity to any of other test. This diagnostic sensitivity and specificity is adjustable to meet surveillance, control and eradication requirements.
The animal and public health significance together with the principal of elimination and control were discussed.