Seroprevalence and spatial distribution of livestock brucellosis using three serological tests in Kajiado County, Kenya

Mahacla Omung&apos;ala Odongo; Lilly Caroline Bebora; James Kinuthia Gathumbi; Gabriel Oluga Aboge; Lillian Wangechi Waiboci; Joseph Erume

doi:10.5455/OVJ.2023.v13.i12.8

Open Veterinary Journal (Dec 2023)

Seroprevalence and spatial distribution of livestock brucellosis using three serological tests in Kajiado County, Kenya

Mahacla Omung'ala Odongo,
Lilly Caroline Bebora,
James Kinuthia Gathumbi,
Gabriel Oluga Aboge,
Lillian Wangechi Waiboci,
Joseph Erume

Affiliations

Mahacla Omung'ala Odongo: Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Nairobi, P.O Box 29053-00625 Nairobi, Kenya
Lilly Caroline Bebora: Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Nairobi, P.O Box 29053-00625 Nairobi, Kenya
James Kinuthia Gathumbi: Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Nairobi, P.O Box 29053-00625 Nairobi, Kenya
Gabriel Oluga Aboge: Department of Public Health, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Nairobi, P.O Box 29053-00625 Nairobi, Kenya
Lillian Wangechi Waiboci: Department of Biochemistry, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Joseph Erume: Dept. of Biomolecular Resources and Biolab Sciences, College of Animal Resources, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda. Makerere University, and Biosecurity,

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5455/OVJ.2023.v13.i12.8
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13, no. 12
pp. 1583 – 1596

Abstract

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Background: Brucellosis is a serious zoonotic infection with a global socioeconomic impact on both the livestock industry and human health. In Kenya brucellosis is endemic but there is limited information on the true burden of the disease due to weak or peace-meal surveillance. The true burden and spread of animal brucellosis in Kajiado County is not known. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the current seroprevalence and spatial distribution of livestock brucellosis in Kajiado County and also to compare the three serological tests, namely; RBPT, indirect ELISA, and competitive ELISA in the detection of seropositive animals. Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken in 5 Sub-counties and 13 wards, where a total of 782 serum samples from unvaccinated bovine (n = 278; 34 herds), ovine (n =256; 25 flocks), and caprine (n = 248; 28 flocks), were screened for anti-Brucella antibodies using Rose Bengal Plate test (RBPT), indirect ELISA (i-ELISA) and competitive ELISA (c-ELISA) tests, in parallel. Results: Overall animal seroprevalence was 6.91% (54/782); while that for bovine, ovine, and caprine was 18.35% (51/278), 0.78% (2/256) and 0.4% (1/248), respectively. Bovine seroprevalence was 2.2% (6/278), 14.4% (40/278), and 4.7% (13/278) in RBPT, i-ELISA, and c-ELISA tests, respectively; while ovine 0.78% (2/256) and caprine 0.4% (1/248) were positive only in c-ELISA. Bovine herd seropositivity was 67.65% (23/34), whereas ovine and caprine flock seropositivities were 8% (2/25) and 3.6% (1/28), respectively. Conclusion: The findings indicate a moderate seroprevalence of brucellosis in bovine, whilst that of ovine and caprine was low in Kajiado County. Indirect ELISA was found superior to both c-ELISA and RBPT in detecting bovine seropositive animals, while c-ELISA was superior to both RBPT and i-ELISA in detecting seropositive ovines and caprines. These results will contribute to baseline data for further study of Brucella infection and a starting point for the formulation of a strategy for the control of brucellosis in Kajiado County. [Open Vet J 2023; 13(12.000): 1583-1596]

Published in Open Veterinary Journal

ISSN: 2226-4485 (Print); 2218-6050 (Online)
Publisher: Tripoli University
Country of publisher: Libya
LCC subjects: Science: Zoology
Website: http://www.openveterinaryjournal.com

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