Studies on seroprevalence and risk factors for occurrence of Bovine brucellosis in cattle in Lindi district, Tanzania

Brucellosis is a contagious bacterial zoonotic disease of public health importance worldwide. A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to November 2017 in Lindi District to estimate the seroprevalence of brucellosis in cattle, assess farmers‘ knowledge and to identify risk factors for Brucella infection in animals. Questionnaires were administered to 60 livestock keepers and blood samples collected from 300 cattle for brucellosis analysis using Rose Bengal Plate Test and competitive-enzyme linked immune-sorbent (cELISA) assay tests. Results indicated that almost half (48.3%) of the households owned small herds which were mostly (58.7%) indigenous cattle. Proportions of positive reactors to brucellosis were 6.0% and 5.2% based on RBPT and c-ELISA respectively. Adult cattle were found to be frequently affected by brucellosis than young ones, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Comparable frequencies of infection were found in different sex groups and among cattle from different wards and different herd sizes. Most of the farmers lacked knowledge of brucellosis. History of abortion (p=0.00) and improper disposal of aborted materials (p=0.04) were found to be significantly associated with occurrence of bovine brucellosis in cattle. This study reports for the first time on occurrence of brucellosis in Lindi District and highlights on the possible risk factors for its transmission in cattle. Control efforts need to be put in place for this and other diseases with serious public and economic impacts the public.Key words: Cattle, brucellosis, seroprevalenc