Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Prevalence of antibodies to Brucella spp. and individual risk Factors of Infection in Traditional Cattle, Goats and Sheep Reared in Livestock–Wildlife Interface Areas of Zambia

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Tropical Animal Health and Production Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was performed in the livestock–wildlife interface areas of Lochinvar and Blue Lagoon National Parks and the non-interface area of Kazungula to determine the prevalence of antibodies to Brucella spp. in domestic ruminants and identify individual animal risk factors of infection. A total of 1245 cattle from 124 herds and 280 goats and sheep from 29 flocks were tested sequentially for Brucella antibodies using the Rose Bengal test (RBT) and competitive ELISA. In cattle, individual seroprevalence ranged from 14.1% to 28.1%, while herd sero–prevalence ranged from 46.2% to 74.0% in the three study areas. No goat or sheep tested positive for Brucella antibodies. Three types of cattle grazing strategies were encountered: locally grazed herds (LGH), transhumantly grazed herds (TGH) and river flood plain grazed herds (FGH). Brucella seroprevalence was seen to vary according to area and grazing strategy: Lochinvar and transhumant grazed herds recorded the highest figures, respectively. Age, sex and history of abortion were found to have independent effects on individual seroprevalence. This study establishes that brucellosis is endemic in domestic animals in the livestock–wildlife interface areas of Blue Lagoon and Lochinvar national parks and the disease is also present in Kazungula. We observed that type of grazing strategy had significant impact on cattle Brucella seroprevalence and that transhumant herds were at high risk of being infected.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

CBPP:

contagious bovine pleuropneumonia

(c-)ELISA:

(competiitve) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

FGH:

flood plain grazed herds

FMD:

foot and mouth disease

LGH:

locally grazed herds

OR:

odds ratio

PI:

percentage inhibition

RBT:

Rose Bengal test

TGH:

transhumantly grazed herds

References

  • Ahmadu, B., Sikazwe, M.S., Sakala, R. and Pandey, G.S., 1999. Sero-prevalence of bovine brucellosis in cattle at Lusaka abattoirs. Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa, 47, 119–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Shamahy, H.A., Whitty, C.J.M. and Wright, S.G., 2000. Risk factors for human brucellosis in Yemen: a case control study. Epidemiology and Infection, 125, 309–313

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alton, G.G., Jones, L.M. and Pietz, D., 1975. Laboratory Techniques in Brucellosis (World Health Organization, Geneva), 63–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Anon., 2000. Annual Report of the Department of Research and Specialist Services, (Government Printers, Lusaka Zambia), 1–18

  • Bell, L.M., Hayles, L.B. and Chanda, A.B., 1976. Evidence of reservior hosts of Brucella melitensis. Medical Journal of Zambia, 10, 152–153

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bell, L.M., Hayles, L.B. and Chanda, A.B., 1977. Serological evidence of Brucella melitensis infection in goats and eland in Zambia. Veterinary Record, 101, 305

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dooho, I., Martin, W. and Stryhn, H., 2003. Veterinary Epidemiologic Research, (AVC Inc., Charlottetown), 35–42

    Google Scholar 

  • England, T., Kelly, L., Jones, R.D., MacMillan, A. and Wooldridge, M., 2004. A simulation model of brucellosis spread in British cattle under several testing regimes. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 63, 63–73

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ghirotti, M., Semproni, G., De Meneghi, D., Mungaba, F.N., Nannini, D., Calzetta, G. and Paganico, G., 1991. Sero-prevalences of selected cattle diseases in the Kafue flats of Zambia. Veterinary Research and Communications, 15, 25–36

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Godfroid, J., Michel, P., Uytterhaegen, L., Desmedt, C., Rasseneur, F., Boelaert, F., Saegerman, C. and Patigny, X., 1994. Brucellose enzootique a Brucella suis biotype 2 chez le sanglier (Sus Scrofa) en Belgique [Brucella-suis Biotype 2 Infection of wild boars (Sus Scrofa) in Belgium]. Annaesde Médecine Veterinaire, 138, 263–268

    Google Scholar 

  • Godfroid, J., Saegerman, C., Wellemans, V., Walravens, K., Letesson, J.J., Tibor, A., McMillan, A., Spencer, S., Sanna, M., Bakker, D., Pouillot, R. and Garin-Bastuji, B., 2002. How to substantiate eradication of bovine brucellosis when aspecific serological reactions occur in the course of brucellosis testing. Veterinary Microbiology, 90, 461–477

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jiwa, S.F.H., Kazwala, R.R., Tungaraza, R., Kimera, S.I. and Kalaye, W.J., 1996. Bovine brucellosis serum agglutination test prevalence and breed disposition according to prevalent management systems in the Lake Victoria zone of Tanzania. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 26, 341–346

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jordan, D., 1995. Herdacc: a program for calculating herd level (aggregate) sensitivity and specificity (Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G2W1, Department of population medicine, University of Guelph)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kadohira, M., McDermott, J.J., Shoukri, M.M. and Kyule, M.N., 1997. Variations in the prevalence of antibody to Brucella infection in cattle by farm, area and district in Kenya. Epidemiology and Infection, 118, 35–41

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kamweneshe, B., Beilfuss, R. and Simukonda, C., 2002. Population and distribution of Kafue Lechwe and other large mammals on the Kafue Flats, Zambia (Lusaka, Zambia Crane Wetland Conservation Project and WWF Partners for Wetlands Project), 1–23

  • Kubuafor, D.K., Awumbila, B. and Akanmori, B.D., 2000. Sero-prevalence of brucellosis in cattle and humans in Akwapim-South district of Ghana: public health implications. Acta Tropica, 76, 45–48

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MacPherson, C.N.L., 1995. The effect of transhumance on the epidemiology of animal diseases. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 25, 213–224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mainar-Jaime, R.C. and Vazquez-Boland, J.A., 1999. Associations of veterinary services and farmer characteristics with the prevalences of brucellosis and border disease in small ruminants in Spain. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 40, 193–205

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McGiven, J.A., Tucker, J.D., Perrett, L.L., Stack, J.A., Brew, S.D. and MacMillan, A.P., 2003. Validation of FPA and cELISA for the detection of antibodies to Brucella abortus in cattle sera and comparison to SAT, CFT, and iELISA. Journal of Immunological Methods, 278, 171–178

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Murry, P.R., Baron, E.J., Pflaller, M.A., Tenover, F.C. and Yolken, R.H., 1999. Manual of Clinical Microbiology, 7th edn, (ASM Press, Washington, DC), 625–631

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicoletti, P., 1980. The Epidemiology of Bovine Brucellosis. vol 24, (Academic Press, London), 69–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen, K.H., Kelly, L., Gall, D., Balsevicius, S., Bosse, J., Nicoletti, P. and Kelly, W., 1996. Comparison of enzyme immunoassays for the diagnosis of bovine brucellosis. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 26, 17–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen, K.H., Kelly, L., Gall, D., Nicoletti, P. and Kelly, W., 1995. Improved competitive enzyme-immunoassay for the diagnosis of bovine brucellosis. Veterinary Immunology and Immunoprophylaxis, 46, 285–291

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen, K., Smith, P., Widdison, J., Gall, D., Kelly, L., Kelly, W. and Nicoletti, P., 2004. Serological relationship between cattle exposed to Brucella abortus, Yersinia enterocolitica O:9 and Escherichia coli O157:H7. Veterinary Microbiology, 100, 25–30

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • OIE, 2004. Manual of the diagnostic test and vaccines for terrestrial animals. Office International des Epizooties, Paris, France, 409–438

    Google Scholar 

  • Omer, M.K., Skjerve, E., Woldehiwet, Z. and Holstad, G., 2000a. Risk factors for Brucella spp. infection in dairy cattle farms in Asmara, State of Eritrea. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 46, 257–265

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Omer, M.K., Skjerve, E., Holstad, G., Woldehiwet, Z. and Macmillan, A.P., 2000b. Prevalence of antibodies to Brucella spp. in cattle, sheep, goats, horses and camels in the State of Eritrea; influence of husbandry systems. Epidemiology and Infection, 125, 447–453

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Orino, K., Hassebe, F., Kitada, R., Miyazaki, T., Matsushita, F., Mubiana, M., Sato, T. and Naiki, M., 1994. Prevalence of bovine brucellosis in Southern Province of Zambia. UNZA Veterinarian, 5, 5–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Pandey, G.S., Kobayashi, K., Kobayashi, K., Nomura, Y., Nambota, A., Mwima, H.K. and Suzuki, A.K., 1999. Studies on sero-prevalence of brucellosis in Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis in Zambia). Indian Veterinary Journal, 76, 275–278.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perry, B.D., Mwanaumo, B., Schels, H.F., Eicher, E. and Zaman, M.R., 1984. A study of health and productivity of traditionally managed cattle in Zambia. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 2, 633–653

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reviriego, F.J., Moreno, M.A. and Dominguez, L., 2000. Risk factors for brucellosis sero-prevalence of sheep and goat flocks in Spain. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 44, 167–173

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, T.P., 1998. Geographic information systems and the selection of priority areas for control of tsetse-transmitted trypanosomiasis in Africa. Parasitology Today, 14, 457–461

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, T.P., Harris, R.S., Hopkins, J.S. and Williams, B.G., 2002. An example of decision support for trypanosomiasis control using a geographical information system in eastern Zambia. International Journal of Geographical Information in Science, 16, 345–360

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rottcher, D., 1978. Final Report, Veterinary Wildlife Research Officer, 1975–1978, (Lusaka, Zambia, Zambia Wildlife and National Parks and German Agency for Technical Co-operation (GTZ)), 1–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Sachs, R., Staak, C. and Croocock, C.M., 1968. Serological investigation of brucellosis in game animals in Tanzania. Bulletin of Epizootic Diseases in Africa, 16, 93–100

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saiwana, L.M., 1995. Wildlife conservation and management in Zambia. In: L.M. Saiwana, The Effect of Enlargement of Domestic Animal Pasture on the Wildlife in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia, 22 March 1995, 15

  • Salman, M.D. and Meyer, M.E. The epidemiology of bovine brucellosis in Mexicali Valley, Mexico: Literature review of disease associated factors. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 45, 1557–1560

  • Siamudaala, V.M., Muma, J.B., Muangándu, H.M., Mulumba, M., 2003. Disease challenges concerning the utilisation of teh Kafue Lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) in Zambia. In: S.A. Osofsky, S. Cleaveland, W.B. Karesh, M.D. Kock, P.J. Nyhus, L. Starr and A. Yang (eds), Conservation and Development Interventions at the Wildlife/livestock Interface: Implications for Wildlife, Livestock and Human Health, Durban, South-Africa 14th–15th September 2003, 75–80

  • Suzuki, A.K., Pandey, G.S. and Nambota, A., 1996. Serological examination of brucellosis in Kafue lechew. In: A.K. Suzuki, G.S. Pandey and A. Nambota (eds), The Effect of Enlargement of Domestic Animal Pasture on the Wildlife in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia, 22nd March 1995, 136–138

  • Turkson, P.K. and Boadu, D.Q., 1992. Epidemiology of bovine brucellosis in the coastal savanna zone of Ghana. Acta Tropica, 52, 39–43

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Disease Control, University of Zambia, School of Veterinary Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia

    J. B. Muma, K. L. Samui, M. Munyeme & C. Mubita

  2. Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway

    J. B. Muma, J. Oloya & E. Skjerve

  3. Zambia Wildlife Authority, Chilanga, Zambia

    V. M. Siamudaala

  4. Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

    J. Oloya

  5. Department of Paraclinical Veterinary Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe

    G. Matope

  6. Norwegian Meat Research Center, Oslo, Norway

    M. K. Omer

Authors
  1. J. B. Muma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. K. L. Samui
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. V. M. Siamudaala
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J. Oloya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. G. Matope
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. M. K. Omer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. M. Munyeme
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. C. Mubita
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. E. Skjerve
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to E. Skjerve.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Muma, J.B., Samui, K.L., Siamudaala, V.M. et al. Prevalence of antibodies to Brucella spp. and individual risk Factors of Infection in Traditional Cattle, Goats and Sheep Reared in Livestock–Wildlife Interface Areas of Zambia. Trop Anim Health Prod 38, 195–206 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-006-4320-9

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-006-4320-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation