Serological investigation of brucellosis in one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) of Yazd province in Iran

Brucellosis is one of the important zoonotic diseases caused by gram-negative bacteria of the Brucella genus. Given that brucellosis in Iranian camels is not monitored, knowing the status of this disease in camels can be crucial from a health and economic point of view. The present study investigated the Brucella infection rate of camels in Yazd province. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of 86 healthy camels, and their serum was separated. Serum samples were analyzed using serological tests, including Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT), Serum Agglutination Test (SAT), 2-Mercaptoetanole (2-ME) test, and indirect ELISA (i-ELISA). In addition, the degree of agreement between RBPT and i-ELISA methods was evaluated using Cohen’s kappa test. The relationship between cases of Brucella infection in studied camels and the variables of age, gender, and sampling location was investigated using the chi-square test and SPSS version 22 software. P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Brucella infection rate by RBPT, SAT, 2-ME, and i-ELISA methods was 4.7%, 3.5%, 4.7%, and 9.3%, respectively. A substantial agreement was also found between RBPT and i-ELISA. No significant relationship existed between Brucella infection and gender and age variables. However, this relationship was significant with sampling location (P 0.05). The current study revealed the presence of Brucella infection in one-humped camels of the Yazd province. Therefore, monitoring the disease status in camels is advisable to control brucellosis in the region.