Spatial distribution of Brucella antibodies with reference to indigenous cattle populations among contrasting agro-ecological zones of Uganda
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Date
2015
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Preventive Veterinary Medicine
Abstract
Indigenous cattle populations exhibit various degrees of agro-ecological fitness and provide desirable
opportunities for investments to improve sustainable production for better rural small-scale farmers’
incomes globally. However, they could be a source of infection to their attendants and other susceptible
livestock if their brucellosis status remains unknown. This study investigated the spatial distribution
of Brucella antibodies among indigenous cattle populations in Uganda. Sera from a total of 925 indigenous
cattle (410 Ankole Bos taurus indicus, 50 Nganda and 465 East African Shorthorn Zebu (EASZ) –
B. indicus) obtained randomly from 209 herds spread throughout Uganda were sequentially analysed
for Brucella antibodies using the indirect (I) and competitive (C) enzyme linked Immuno-sorbent assays
(ELISA). Recent incidences of abortion within the previous 12 months and routine hygienic practices
during parturition were explored for public health risks. Brucella antibodies occurred in approximately
8.64% (80/925) and 28.70% (95% CI: 22.52, 34.89) of the sampled individual cattle and herds, respectively.
Findings have shown that Ankole and EASZ cattle had similar seroprevalences. Indigenous cattle from
the different study agro-ecological zones (AEZs) exhibited varying seroprevalences ranging from approximately
1.78% (95% CI: 0, 5.29) to 19.67% (95% CI: 8.99, 30.35) in the Lake Victoria Crescent (LVC) and
North Eastern Drylands (NED) respectively. Significantly higher odds for Brucella antibodies occurred in
the NED (OR: 3.40, 95% CI: 1.34, 8.57, p = 0.01) inhabited by EASZ cattle compared to the KP (reference category)
AEZ. Recent incidences of abortions within the previous 12 months were significantly (p < 0.001)
associated with seropositive herds. These findings add critical evidence to existing information on the
widespread occurrence of brucellosis among indigenous cattle populations in Uganda and could guide
allocation of meagre resources for awareness creation. And deployment of control strategies including
culling of older cattle and those which have aborted during advanced gestation, enforcement of hygiene
practices and mass vaccination.
Description
Keywords
Agro-ecological zones, Brucella antibodies, Indigenous cattle, populations, Spatial distribution Uganda
Citation
Kabi, F., Muwanika, V., & Masembe, C. (2015). Spatial distribution of Brucella antibodies with reference to indigenous cattle populations among contrasting agro-ecological zones of Uganda. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 121(1-2), 56-63.