Abstract
A cross-sectional study was conducted in Colombia to recover Brucella spp. DNA from bovine whole-blood samples through probe-based real-time PCR (qPCR). By an SNP-based assay, vaccine strains were differentiated from field strains. The associated factors were evaluated using logistical regression models. A total of 656 random cows from 40 herds were selected and analyzed using serology and PCR. The qPCR assay detected 9.5% (n = 62/656; 95% CI: 7.3, 12.0) of the animals with Brucella-DNA presence, while the serological test detected a 6.6% (n = 43/656; CI: 4.8, 8.7). 62.5% (n = 25/40; 95% CI: 45.8, 77.3) of positive cases were detected at the herd-level by the qPCR, while only 27.5% (n = 11/40; 95% CI: 14.6, 43.9) were detected by the serological test. All positive samples were identified as field Brucella strains employing the SNP-based assay. In the final regression model at the animal-level, five variables were associated with Brucella-DNA presence: the use of bulls for mating recorded history of reproductive problems, pregnant cows, parlor milking, and cows belonging to farms ≤200 m from the main road. At the herd-level, two variables were associated with Brucella-DNA presence: recorded history of reproductive problems and the use of bulls for mating. Given the fluctuant brucellosis prevalence in endemic areas, updated epidemiological studies are necessary to evaluate the disease dynamic and if established prevention and control measures have been effective or need to be adjusted. The increase in the prevalence of brucellosis in animal reservoirs creates an important risk of transmission in humans.
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Data availability
The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) and the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro to facilitate this study’s execution. We also thank the corporation “Corpogansa del Norte” and their associates for allowing us to research their cattle.
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This work was supported by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES, finance code 001). This work was financial supported by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) for the fellowship granted to HAS (Research Productivity Scholarship, grant number 310819/2018–0) and the Foundation Carlos Chagas Filho Research Support of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ).
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All authors contributed to the study’s conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by [Olga Lucia Herrán Ramirez], [Huarrisson Azevedo Santos], [Isabele Da Costa Angelo], [Patrícia Gonzaga Paulino] and [Carolina Soares van De Meer]. The draft preparation of the manuscript was written by [Luis Rodríguez Bautista], [Ingrid Lorena Jaramillo Delgado], [Juliana González Obando] and [Rene Ramirez Garcia]. Funding acquisition, supervision [Huarrisson Azevedo Santos], and [Isabele Da Costa Angelo and all authors reviewed and edited the final version of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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This study involved a questionnaire-based survey of farmers as well as blood sampling from their animals. The study protocol was assessed and approved by Human Research Ethics Committee (CEP Approval number 1.243/18) from Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ). The study has been approved by the Ethics Committee for Animal Use (CICUA Approval number AE-028/ Acta 043301120) from CES University.
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Ramírez, O.L.H., Santos, H.A., Paulino, P.G. et al. Cross-sectional study of Brucella spp. using real-time PCR from bovine whole blood in Colombia. Vet Res Commun 46, 189–201 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-021-09846-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-021-09846-8