Seroprevalence of Brucella antibodies in camels in Katsina State, Nigeria

• Published in: Tropical animal health and production 2017-06, Vol.49 (5), p.1041-1046
• Main Authors: Salisu, U.S, Kudi, C.A, Bale, J.O.O., Babashani, M, Kaltungo, B.Y, Saidu, S.N.A, Asambe, A, Baba, A.Y
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abattoirs; Acetic acid; Agglutination; Agglutination Tests - veterinary; Animals; Antibodies; Antibodies, Bacterial - blood; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Brucella - isolation & purification; Brucellosis; Brucellosis - epidemiology; Brucellosis - microbiology; Brucellosis - veterinary; Camels; Camelus; Cross-Sectional Studies; Edetic Acid - chemistry; Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acids; Immunoglobulins; Life Sciences; Livestock; Nigeria - epidemiology; Prevalence; Public health; Regular Articles; Rose Bengal - chemistry; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Serology; Veterinary Medicine/Veterinary Science; Zoology
• ISSN: 0049-4747; 1573-7438
• DOI: 10.1007/s11250-017-1297-5

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the status of Brucella infection in one-humped (Dromedary) camels in the North and Central senatorial districts of Katsina State, Nigeria. Nine hundred and eighty serum samples from live and slaughtered camels were tested. Modified Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and serum agglutination test (SAT) with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, (EDTA) were used as screening and standard tests, respectively. The prevalence of Brucella antibodies were 110 (11.2%) and 103 (10.5%) for RBPT and SAT, respectively. Of the 472 and 508 serum samples tested from the herds and abattoirs, respectively, 63 (13.3%) and 47 (9.3%) were positive by RBPT while 62 (13.1%) and 41 (8.1%) were positive by SAT, respectively. Based on the results, it was concluded that Brucella antibodies were present in camels in the study area. Poor management practices and mixing of camels with other species of livestock as well as unrestricted movement of camels were proposed to be the reasons for the prevalence of the disease in the study area. In view of the public health importance of the disease, it is recommended that there is the need to develop a strategic plan to decrease spread of brucellosis in the study area.