Seroprevalence of Brucellosis and Coxiellosis in a Linked Study Population in Egypt

Aim: To estimate the prevalence of brucellosis and coxiellosis in different household livestock where the current epidemiological data are still limited.

Study Design: A cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Hygiene and Zoonosis laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, during 2018.

Methodology: The study included 1400 female animals, consisting of buffaloes (n=500), cattle (n=500), sheep (n= 250), camels (n = 100), goats (n= 50) as well as their contact owners (n= 25). A blood sample was drawn from each animal as well as their contact owners and was tested for Brucella (using Rose Bengal Brucella antigen and i-ELISA) and for Coxiella burnetii antibodies (using i-ELISA).

Results: The results demonstrated different rates of seropositivity among the examined animals. In total, 308 (22%) out of 1400 serum samples were tested positive for Brucella antibody in both RBT and i-ELISA. Of those, 99/500 (19.8%) came from buffaloes, 110/500 (22%) from cows, 70/250 (28%) from sheep, 19/100 (19%) from camels and 10/50 (20%) from goats. C. burnetii antibodies were detected in 104/ 500 (20.8%) buffalo samples, 80/500 (16%) of cattle, 50/250 (20%) of sheep, 20/100 (20%) of camels and 5/50 (10%) of goats. One hundred thirty nine cases out of 1400 (9.9%) harboured antibodies against Brucella spp. and C. burnetii. Only five cases (20%) among contact owners were tested positive for Brucella infection by using RBT and IgG ELISA; however, all tested human sera were negative for C. burnetii antibodies.

Conclusion: The study indicated a wide distribution of both infections in the study area and demonstrated an intense transmission within the studied livestock population.