Seroprevalence and risk factors of brucellosis and the brucellosis model at the individual level of dairy cattle in the West Bandung District, Indonesia

Emerging zoonotic diseases in Southeast Asia in the period 2011-2022: a systematic literature review

As COVID-19 has shown, pandemics and outbreaks of emerging infections such as Zika, Nipah, monkeypox and antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, especially emerging zoonotic diseases, continue to occur and may even be increasing in Southeast Asia. In addition, these infections often result from environmental changes and human behaviour. Overall, public health surveillance to identify gaps in the literature and early warning signs are essential in this region. A systematic review investigated the prevalence of emerging zoonotic diseases over 11 years from 2011 to 2022 in Southeast Asia to understand the status of emerging zoonotic diseases, as well as to provide necessary actions for disease control and prevention in the region. During the 2011-2022 period, studies on pigs, poultry, ruminants, companion animals and wildlife in Southeast Asia were reviewed thoroughly to assess the quality of reporting items for inclusion in the systematic review. The review was performed on 26 studies of pigs, 6 studies of poultry, 21 studies of ruminants, 28 studies of companion animals and 25 studies of wildlife in Southeast Asia, which provide a snapshot of the prevalence of the emerging zoonotic disease across the country. The findings from the review showed that emerging zoonotic diseases were prevalent across the region and identified a few zoonotic diseases associated with poultry, mainly stemming from Cambodia and Vietnam, as high priority in Southeast Asia.Clinical relevance: Appropriate prevention and control measures should be taken to mitigate the emerging zoonotic diseases in Southeast Asia.

Brucellosis: Unveiling the complexities of a pervasive zoonotic disease and its global impacts

One zoonotic infectious animal disease is brucellosis. The bacteria that cause brucellosis belong to the genus Brucella. Numerous animal and human species are affected by brucellosis, with an estimated 500,000 human cases recorded annually worldwide. The occurrence of new areas of infection and the resurgence of infection in already infected areas indicate how dynamically brucellosis is distributed throughout different geographic regions. Bacteria originate from the blood and are found in the reticuloendothelial system, the liver, the spleen, and numerous other locations, including the joints, kidneys, heart, and genital tract. Diagnosis of this disease can be done by bacterial isolation, molecular tests, modified acid-fast stain, rose bengal test (RBT), milk ring test, complement fixation test, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and serum agglutination test. The primary sign of a Brucella abortus infection is infertility, which can result in abortion and the birth of a frail fetus that may go on to infect other animals. In humans, the main symptoms are acute febrile illness, with or without localization signs, and chronic infection. Female cattle have a greater risk of contracting Brucella disease. Human populations at high risk of contracting brucellosis include those who care for cattle, veterinarians, slaughterhouse employees, and butchers. Antibiotic treatment of brucellosis is often unsuccessful due to the intracellular survival of Brucella and its adaptability in macrophages. A "one health" strategy is necessary to control illnesses like brucellosis.

Seroprevalence and risk factor analysis of brucellosis among dairy farmers in Aligarh region, North India: creating awareness of a neglected disease

Introduction. Brucellosis, a globally distributed zoonotic disease, is caused by the Gram-negative bacteria known as Brucella. Humans acquire infection through direct contact with the blood, urine and placenta of animals, inhalation of dust or aerosols at infected animal farms, and raw milk and meat intake. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of brucellosis in dairy farmers in and around the Aligarh region of North India, to document various clinical signs and symptoms in Brucella-positive individuals, and to create awareness in dairy farmers concerning brucellosis and ways to prevent it. Methods. This was an observational study that included 125 dairy farmers in and around the Aligarh region. Serum samples were taken from this high-risk group after obtaining informed consent. Further, a pre-designed proforma was used to collect information about their knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) concerning brucellosis and assess the risk factors for the disease. The Rose Bengal test (RBT), serum agglutination test (SAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were performed to detect the seroprevalence of brucellosis. Result.Brucella infection was diagnosed in 64 (51.20 %) cases by indirect ELISA (IgM+IgG), 41 (32.8 %) by RBT and 4 (3.2 %) by SAT. Significant clustering of patients was seen in the 20-55 years age group. The most common symptoms in ELISA IgM-positive patients were joint pain (16.07 %), fatigue (14.28 %), anorexia (12.50 %), weight loss (8.92 %), malaise (5.35 %), undulant fever (3.57 %), night sweats (3.57 %) and headache (1.78 %). The findings of this study indicate that ELISA (IgM+IgG) exhibits great sensitivity as compared to SAT and RBT. KAP was very poor among dairy farmers. Conclusion. In India, Brucella is a frequent but severely underreported illness. ELISA is the most sensitive serological test for diagnosing brucellosis. No potential vaccine has yet been introduced for humans against brucellosis. Thus, it is necessary to impart awareness and sensitize high-risk groups concerning brucellosis.

A study on the epidemiology of brucellosis in bovine population of peri-urban and rural areas of district Multan, southern Punjab, Pakistan

BACKGROUND

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by a bacterial pathogen belonging to the genus Brucella. It is one of the most frequent bacterial zoonoses globally but unfortunately, it is still considered as a neglected disease in the developing world. Keeping in view, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk determinants of brucellosis in large ruminants of peri-urban and rural areas of district Multan-Pakistan. For this purpose, blood samples (n = 490) were collected from the cattle (n = 245) and buffalo (n = 245) population of the study area and subjected to preliminary screening of brucellosis using local and imported RBPT reagents. All the samples were further analyzed using commercially available multi-specie indirect ELISA kit followed by their confirmation by PCR using genus and species-specific primers. Data obtained from lab analysis and questionnaires were subjected to statistical analysis for Pearson Chi-square, Odds Ratio and Confidence intervals (95%).

RESULTS

The results showed that the maximum seropositivity was recorded with local RBPT reagent (VRI, Pakistan; 12.45%; 95%CI = 9.72-15.65%) followed by RBPT-IDEXX (12.24%; 95%CI = 9.52-15.45%) and RBPT-ID.vet (11.84%; 95%CI = 9.18-14.95%) however statistical difference was non-significant (P = 0.956). The ELISA results showed an overall seroprevalence rate of 11.22% (95%CI = 8.59-14.33%) with comparatively higher rate in cattle (12.65%; 95%CI = 8.82-17.44%) as compared to buffaloes (9.80%; 95%CI = 6.49-14.15%). The PCR analysis confirmed the presence of genus Brucella in all seropositive samples whereas frequency of B. abortus and B. melitensis in seropositive samples was 80% and 20%, respectively. The co-existence of both species was also observed in 5.45% samples. The statistical analysis showed a significant association of bovine brucellosis with herd size, breed, reproductive disorders, mode of insemination, educational status and farmers' awareness about brucellosis (P < 0.05). Conversely, locality, age, weight, gender, pregnancy status, parity and puberty status had no associations with brucellosis (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, brucellosis is prevalent in large ruminants of district Multan, Pakistan. It is suggested to devise and implement stringent policies for the effective control and prevention of brucellosis in the region. Further, the current situation also warrants the need to strengthen interdisciplinary coordination among veterinarians and physicians in one health perspective to ensure and strengthen the human and animal health care systems in the region.

Risk factors, logistic model, and vulnerability mapping of lumpy skin disease in livestock at the farm level in Indragiri Hulu District, Riau Province, Indonesia, in 2022

Background and Aim

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an emerging epidemic in livestock in Indonesia. It was first reported in the Indragiri Hulu Regency of Riau Province, which has more cases than the surrounding regencies. This study aimed to identify the risk factors and generate a logistic regression model and vulnerability map of LSD in the Indragiri Hulu Regency.

Materials and Methods

We used a structured questionnaire to interview the case and control farm owners to evaluate the risk factors. We evaluated 244 samples, consisting of 122 case and control farm samples each. At the cattle farm level, the risk factor data related to LSD were analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis with Chi-square, and odds ratio, while the logistic model was derived using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Using variables, such as the number of cases and risk factor variables included in the model logistic, and the temperature, humidity, and rainfall data from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency, we analyzed the vulnerability map of LSD in the regency using scoring, weighting, and overlay methods.

Results

Ten significant risk factors were associated with LSD occurrence. The LSD model obtained from the logistic regression analysis was LSD (Y) = -3.92095 + 1.13107 (number of cattle >3) + 1.50070 (grazing cattle together with other farmers' cattle) + 1.03500 (poor management of farm waste/dirt) + 2.49242 (presence of livestock collectors/traders near the farm location) + 1.40543 (introduction of new livestock) + 2.15196 (lack of vector control measures on the farm). The LSD vulnerability map indicated that the villages with high vulnerability levels were Rantau Bakung, Kuantan Babu, and Sungai Lala in the Rengat Barat, Rengat, and Sungai Lala subdistricts, respectively.

Conclusion

We found 10 significant risk factors associated with LSD occurrence. The LSD model included the number of cattle (>3), cograzing with other farmers' cattle, poor management of farm waste/dirt, the presence of livestock collectors/traders near the farm, introduction of new livestock, and lack of vector control measures on the farm. The LSD vulnerability map indicated that villages with high vulnerability levels included Rantau Bakung in the Rengat Barat subdistrict, Kuantan Babu in the Rengat subdistrict, and Sungai Lala in the Sungai Lala subdistrict.

The Status and Risk Factors of Brucellosis in Smallholder Dairy Cattle in Selected Regions of Tanzania

Bovine brucellosis is a bacterial zoonoses caused by Brucella abortus. We conducted a cross-sectional study to determine brucellosis seroprevalence and risk factors among smallholder dairy cattle across six regions in Tanzania. We sampled 2048 dairy cattle on 1374 farms between July 2019 and October 2020. Sera were tested for the presence of anti-Brucella antibodies using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Seroprevalence was calculated at different administrative scales, and spatial tests were used to detect disease hotspots. A generalized mixed-effects regression model was built to explore the relationships among Brucella serostatus, animals, and farm management factors. Seroprevalence was 2.39% (49/2048 cattle, 95% CI 1.7-3.1) across the study area and the Njombe Region represented the highest percentage with 15.5% (95% CI 11.0-22.0). Moreover, hotspots were detected in the Njombe and Kilimanjaro Regions. Mixed-effects models showed that having goats (OR 3.02, 95% C 1.22-7.46) and abortion history (OR 4.91, 95% CI 1.43-16.9) were significant risk factors for brucellosis. Education of dairy farmers regarding the clinical signs, transmission routes, and control measures for brucellosis is advised. A One Health approach is required to study the role of small ruminants in cattle brucellosis and the status of brucellosis in dairy farmers in the Njombe and Kilimanjaro Regions.

Dairy farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the brucellosis surveillance and control program in Bogor, Indonesia

Background and Aim

Brucellosis is an infectious and zoonotic disease that affects people's health and the economy in most countries. Brucellosis is still prevalent in several Indonesian regions. This study aimed to analyze the correlation between the characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of dairy farmers in Bogor District in supporting brucellosis control and surveillance programs.

Materials and Methods

The study was cross-sectional. Data were collected through interviews with 151 dairy farmers in Bogor Regency, West Java, Indonesia. The outcome is brucellosis surveillance and control practice among dairy farmers, and the variables include individual characteristics, knowledge, and attitudes toward brucellosis surveillance and control. Descriptive analysis and path analysis were used in statistical analysis.

Results

The majority of farmers' knowledge, attitudes and practices were moderate, with the percentages 67.55%, 60.92%, and 41.72% respectively. Formal education, training, and dairy rising length are variables that have a direct and significant impact on knowledge level. Knowledge is the variable that influences the overall level of attitude. Age, knowledge, and attitude are factors that influence the practice of brucellosis surveillance and control.

Conclusion

Although the practice level of brucellosis surveillance and control for dairy farmers in Bogor Regency is moderate, efforts to improve it are still required. The basic effort is critical for increasing farmers' knowledge.

Estimates of the Economic Cost Caused by Five Major Reproductive Problems in Dairy Animals in Assam and Bihar, India

Reproductive problems in dairy animals reduce fertility, prevent conception, create problems in the delivery of healthy calves, lead to postpartum complications, increase inter-calving periods, reduce milk yield, and lower overall lifetime productivity. This study aimed at understanding the incidence of reproductive problems and the cost caused by these. The study covered 954 dairy animals in Bihar and 1348 dairy animals in Assam that were selected using a multi-stage random sampling method. The costs were calculated as the sum of income losses and expenditures incurred. The major cost incurred resulted from extended calving intervals (46.1% of the total cost), followed by loss through salvage selling (38.1%), expenditure for treatment of repeat breeders (5.9%), loss of milk production (5.3%) and expenditure for extra inseminations (2.0%). About one fifth of the selected reproductive problems were left untreated. The estimated cost of reproductive problems was Indian Rupees (INR) 2424.9 (USD 36.1) per dairy animal per year (of the total dairy animal population) which represented approximately 4.1% of the mean value loss of dairy animals (INR 58,966/USD 877) per year. Reproductive problems were significantly (p < 0.001) higher among improved (exotic breed or cross-bred) dairy animals than indigenous (native breed or nondescript indigenous) dairy animals. The study suggests that with the increase of improved dairy animal population, the loss may further increase. The study concludes that any economic estimation of reproduction problems based on aetiology without confirmatory diagnoses could be highly misleading because of the complex nature of the problems.