article · Microorganisms
A field study in selected districts of Punjab, Pakistan, evaluated the presence and risk factors of animal brucellosis across 1,083 randomly collected blood samples from goats, sheep, cows, and buffaloes. Initial screening using the rose bengal plate test identified seropositive animals, which were subsequently tested using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assays to detect specific bacterial DNA. Both antibodies and bacterial DNA appeared in 35 samples, representing an overall seroprevalence of 3.23 percent. Among these confirmed cases, 34 were identified specifically as Brucella melitensis, showing it to be the primary causative agent across all sampled species. Statistical analysis indicated that a history of abortion and natural mating practices served as key risk factors for transmission. Diseased livestock present an ongoing transmission risk, highlighting the necessity for control strategies, targeted educational programmes, and the removal of infected animals.
Brucellosis causes severe illness in humans and heavy economic losses in livestock production. Identifying Brucella melitensis across multiple domestic animal species demonstrates cross-species transmission risks. Documenting the prevalence and primary drivers, such as natural breeding and abortion history, helps public health and veterinary authorities design targeted interventions to curb transmission between animals and prevent zoonotic spread to farming communities.
The abstract does not evaluate a commercial product or technology, but rather reports epidemiological surveillance using established rose bengal plate tests and quantitative real-time PCR. This data provides foundational evidence that veterinary health authorities and agricultural extension bodies can use to design disease management guidelines and breeding interventions. As this is baseline epidemiological research, direct commercialisation pathways are not indicated.
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Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus <i>Brucella</i> (<i>B.</i>), affecting both animals and humans, causing severe economic loses and severe illness, respectively. The objective of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence and the risk factors associated with caprine, ovine, and bovine brucellosis in selected districts of Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 1083 blood samples were randomly collected from animals (goats = 440, sheep = 203, cows = 206, and buffaloes = 234). Questionnaires were used to collect data on risk factors associated with brucellosis on the sampling day. All samples were initially screened for anti-<i>Brucella</i> antibodies using the rose bengal plate test (RBPT). The seropositive serum samples were confirmed by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the detection of the <i>Brucella</i> genus- and <i>Brucella</i> species-specific DNA (<i>B. abortus</i> and <i>B. melitensis</i>). Univariant and binary logistic regression were used to identify important risk factors of brucellosis. Anti-<i>Brucella</i> antibodies and DNA were detected in 35 (3.23%) serum samples. Thirty-four (97.1%) DNA samples were confirmed as <i>B. melitensis</i> by qRT-PCR. Abortion history and natural mating were found to be potential risk factors. <i>Brucella melitensis</i> was identified as the causative agent of caprine, ovine, and bovine brucellosis in the selected districts of Punjab, Pakistan. Diseased animals may act as a source of infection for other animals. The elimination of positive seroreactors, development of control strategies for brucellosis, and education programs regarding the control of zoonotic disease are highly needed in developing countries like Pakistan.
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DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7100449
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