Engdawork Aweke, Bulbula Abdela, Melak Awoke, Negussie Haileleul
Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI), P. O. Box: 30726, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Animal Health Institute (AHI), Sebeta, Ethiopia.
Sci Rep. 2025 Jan 29;15(1):3714. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-83866-7.
Brucellosis is a bacterial disease of many domestic and wild animals with great economic and public health importance. Although it has a major constraint in dairy production, comprehensive information regarding the epidemiology of brucellosis in dairy herds is limited. Besides, evaluating the dairy farmers' knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding brucellosis is crucial for generating information that can enhance control programs and public health interventions. Thus, this study aims to investigate the seroepidemiology of brucellosis and evaluate the dairy farmers' KAP in North Shewa, central highlands of Ethiopia. A total of 511 blood samples were randomly collected from 142 dairy herds. Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) was used for primary screening, and a complement fixation test (CFT) was conducted on RBPT-positive samples. Retrospective information was collected to associate brucellosis with a history of reproductive disorders. A questionnaire survey assessed farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding zoonotic brucellosis. Multivariable Firth's bias-reduced logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with brucellosis seropositivity. The overall seroprevalence of brucellosis was 0.98% (95% CI: 0.41-2.34%) at the animal level and 3.52% (95%CI: 1.46-8.26%) at the herd level. Cows older than 6 years were four times more likely to be seropositive (OR = 3.82; 95% CI: 1.71-7.97; P = 0.004), while local breeds had a six-fold higher risk (OR = 6.2; 95% CI: 2.08-8.21; P = 0.016). Cattle with a history of abortion (OR = 22.35; 95% CI: 3.90-107.91; P = 0.002) and retained fetal membrane (OR = 18.74; 95% CI: 3.48-63.86; P = 0.020) showed significantly higher seroprevalence. A survey of 120 respondents found that 86% were unaware of zoonotic brucellosis, 74.63% assisted cows during the parturition without protective equipment, and 64% consumed raw meat. Only 9.17% disposed of fetal membranes and aborted fetuses properly. This study revealed evidence of brucellosis in 4% of dairy herds, poor understanding of the disease, various risky practices, and poor biosafety measures. Thus, educating dairy farmers and implementing strict farm biosecurity measures are essential steps to minimize the impacts of the disease on the growing dairy industry and public health.
布鲁氏菌病是一种在许多家畜和野生动物中发生的细菌性疾病，对经济和公共卫生具有重大影响。尽管它是乳制品生产中的一个主要制约因素，但关于奶牛群中布鲁氏菌病流行病学的全面信息却很有限。此外，评估奶农对布鲁氏菌病的知识、态度和做法（KAP）对于生成能够加强控制计划和公共卫生干预措施的信息至关重要。因此，本研究旨在调查埃塞俄比亚中部高地北谢瓦地区布鲁氏菌病的血清流行病学，并评估奶农的KAP。总共从142个奶牛群中随机采集了511份血样。采用玫瑰红平板试验（RBPT）进行初步筛查，并对RBPT阳性样本进行补体结合试验（CFT）。收集回顾性信息以将布鲁氏菌病与生殖障碍病史相关联。通过问卷调查评估农民关于人畜共患布鲁氏菌病的知识、态度和做法。使用多变量费思偏倚减少逻辑回归模型来确定与布鲁氏菌病血清阳性相关的因素。在动物水平上，布鲁氏菌病的总体血清阳性率为0.98%（95%CI：0.41 - 2.34%），在牛群水平上为3.52%（95%CI：1.46 - 8.26%）。6岁以上的奶牛血清阳性的可能性是4倍（OR = 3.82；95%CI：1.71 - 7.97；P = 0.004），而本地品种的风险则高6倍（OR = 6.2；95%CI：2.08 - 8.21；P = 0.016）。有流产史的牛（OR = 22.35；95%CI：3.90 - 107.91；P = 0.002）和胎膜滞留的牛（OR = 18.74；95%CI：3.48 - 63.86；P = 0.020）的血清阳性率显著更高。对120名受访者的调查发现，86%的人不知道人畜共患布鲁氏菌病，74.63%的人在母牛分娩时未使用防护设备进行协助，64%的人食用生肉。只有9.17%的人正确处理了胎膜和流产胎儿。本研究揭示了4%的奶牛群存在布鲁氏菌病的证据，对该疾病的了解不足、存在各种危险行为以及生物安全措施不完善。因此，对奶农进行教育并实施严格的农场生物安全措施是将该疾病对不断发展的乳制品行业和公共卫生的影响降至最低的重要步骤。
