Abstract:
A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the seroprevalence of brucellosis and identify risk
factors in exotic and cross bred cattle in Ethiopia. A total of 2334 cattle from 273 farms were tested
serially for Brucella antibodies using the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and the Compliment Fixation Test
(CFT). The overall animal level seroprevalence was 1.9% (95% CI: 1.2, 2.6), with urban and peri-urban
dairy 2.4% (95% CI: 1.4, 3.4), commercial 1.5% (95% CI: 0.5, 2.5) and breeding farms 1.5% (95% CI: 0.2,
3.2). The overall farm level prevalence was 10.6% (95% CI: 6.9, 14.3), with 8.6% (95% CI: 4.8, 12.4) in
urban and peri-urban dairy followed by 16.9% (95% CI: 7.3, 26.6) in commercial and 20.0% (95% CI: 0.0,
59.4) in breeding farms. At individual animal level, purchased cows and adult age groups were observed
to associate with Brucella seropositivity while presence of small ruminants on the farm was the only
factor associated with increased risk of herd level Brucella infection. The lack of association between
reproductive disorders and Brucella seroprevalence suggest that other causes largely outweigh as causes
of the aforesaid disorder in studied production systems and demands an investigation. Finally, the need
for isolation and characterization of circulating Brucella spp. and institution of regulatory measures to
reinforce farm biosecurity was suggested.
