Seroepidemiology, Molecular Detection and Risk Factors Associated with Brucellosis in Goats in Morogoro, Tanzania

Brucellosis is wide spread and an important re-emerging zoonosis causing a great socio-economic and public health concern especially in low  income countries. The present study was performed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with brucellosis transmission in goats  kept in three districts of Morogoro, Tanzania. A total of 478 goats sera were collected using multistage cluster random sampling from different herds. Two hundred and forty nine samples were collected from three wards of agro-pastoral farming system of Mvomero, 178 samples from three wards of Morogoro rural and 51 samples from Morogoro urban districts. Rose Bengal plate agglutination test (RBPT), indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (iELISA) and real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) were applied for disease diagnosis. Structured questionnaire was used to assess for potential risk factors of the disease in the communities. Out of 478 samples, one serum (0.2%) tested positive to both RBPT and iELISA. Brucella abortus DNA was detected in 6.18% (n=11) and 2.81% (n=7) of investigated goats from Morogoro rural and Mvomero districts, respectively. Consumption of raw milk and/or blood, history of abortion and retained placenta, poor knowledge on brucellosis, and improper  handling and disposal of fetal membranes and aborted foetuses were found to be statistically significant (P<0.05) disease determinant. This study has indicated the presence of B. abortus in goats reared in Morogoro region and risk factors perpetuating its spread. Therefore, there is a need for implementing control measures and raising public awareness to facilitate effective intervention of brucellosis. Keywords: Goats, Brucellosis, Seroprevalence, molecular diagnosis, Risk factors, Morogor