Sero-Prevalence of Brucellosis in Food Animals in the Punjab, Pakistan

Aim of the present study was to know the prevalence of brucellosis in food animals in relation to various risk factors through different diagnostic tests. For this purpose, 2375 serum samples were collected from December, 2010 to December, 2012. Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and Serum Agglutination Test (SAT) were applied for initial screening, positive samples were subjected to enzyme linked immunosorbant assays (i-ELISA and c-ELISA) for confirmation. The data thus collected was interpreted and subjected to Binary Logistic Regression Analysis to know the difference among various groups based on species, sex, age, body weight and parity. Through RBPT and SAT, the higher prevalence of caprine brucellosis was recorded as compared to the buffaloes, camel, cattle and sheep. Prevalence of brucellosis was higher in buffaloes through both types of ELISAs as compared to other food animals. No animal was found positive for brucellosis in camel population. The prevalence of brucellosis was not associated with sex of animals. Sero-prevalence was higher in mature animals as compared to the younger ones in all food animals. The other risk factors like body weight and parity also affected the sero-prevalence of brucellosis in all species.