A case-control study of risk factors for bovine brucellosis seropositivity in Peninsular Malaysia

• Published in: PloS one 2014-09, Vol.9 (9), p.e108673-e108673
• Main Authors: Anka, Mukhtar Salihu, Hassan, Latiffah, Khairani-Bejo, Siti, Zainal, Mohamed Abidin, Mohamad, Ramlan Bin, Salleh, Annas, Adzhar, Azri
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abortion; Animals; Biology and Life Sciences; Biosecurity; Bovidae; Brucella; Brucella abortus; Brucella abortus - immunology; Brucellosis; Brucellosis, Bovine - blood; Brucellosis, Bovine - epidemiology; Bubalus bubalis; Case studies; Case-Control Studies; Cattle; Disease control; Epidemiology; Farm management; Farms; Infections; Livestock; Livestock farming; Malaysia - epidemiology; Medicine and Health Sciences; Multivariate Analysis; Pathology; Population; Public health; Risk; Risk analysis; Risk Factors; Risk management; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Sheep; Surveillance; Surveys; Veterinary medicine; Wildlife; Wildlife management; Zoonoses
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108673

Bovine brucellosis was first reported in Peninsular Malaysia in 1950. A subsequent survey conducted in the country revealed that the disease was widespread. Current knowledge on the potential risk factors for brucellosis occurrence on cattle farms in Malaysia is lacking. Therefore, we conducted a case-control study to identify the potential herd-level risk factors for bovine brucellosis occurrence in four states in the country, namely Kelantan, Pahang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan. Thirty-five cases and 36 controls of herds were selected where data on farm management, biosecurity, medical history and public health were collected. Multivariable logistic regression identified that Brucella seropositive herds were more likely to; have some interaction with wildlife (OR 8.9, 95% CI = 1.59-50.05); originated from farms where multiple species such as buffalo/others (OR 41.8, 95% CI = 3.94-443.19) and goat/sheep (OR 8.9, 95%Cl = 1.10-71.83) were reared, practice extensive production system (OR 13.6, 95% CI 1.31-140.24) and have had episodes of abortion in the past (OR 51.8, 95% CI = 4.54-590.90) when compared to seronegative herds. Considering the lack of information on the epidemiology of bovine brucellosis in peninsular Malaysia and absence of information on preventing the inception or spread of the disease, this report could contribute to the on-going area-wise national brucellosis eradication program.