Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with bovine brucellosis in western Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

The present study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of brucellosis in cattle and buffaloes of western Uttar Pradesh, India and possible risk factors associated with it. Blood samples collected from 1,019 animals (dairy cattle and buffaloes) of different age and sex from 17 districts of western Uttar Pradesh, India where no vaccination against brucellosis is practiced were subjected to indirect ELISA for detection of Brucella antibodies. The overall mean seropositivity was 12.37% with seropositivity in unorganized and organized farms 4.08% and 24.88%, respectively. The young calves were having significantly higher seropositivity (10.38%) and it further increased in sexually matured adults (12.71%) in comparison to older animals (9.17%). Overall seropositivity and risk factors logistic regression analyses showed that species and farming type (organized and unorganized) had significant effect and sex of animals and their age group had no significant effect on the positivity of brucellosis. In absence of any vaccination presence of circulating antibodies against Brucella in all age group of animals indicated the natural circulation of infection in the state. Study indicated an urgent need of policy for prevention and control of brucellosis in dairy animals.

Keywords

• Brucellosis
• Buffalo
• Cattle
• Risk factors
• Seroprevalence