Epidemiological Study of Brucellosis in Sheep In Khartoum State, Sudan

Abstract

Brucellosis is a contagious disease of livestock which is transmissible to man. In the Sudan, brucellosis occurs in all animal species including wildlife and humans. Brucellosis in livestock is of great economic concern due to reduced productivity, increased numbers of abortion and weak offsprings, and is a major impediment to trade and export of livestock. IX This cross-sectional study was aimed to determine the prevalence of burcellosis in sheep in farms and identify potential risk factors which influence the spread of the disease in Khartoum state. Five localities were selected in the state and those were: Jabal Awlia, Bahary, Karary, Umbeda and Sharg Elneel. A questionnaire was designed for collection of data and 13 risk factors for brucellosis infection in the different localities. A total of 388 sheep were sampled for blood for serum samples. The samples were collected by simple random sampling, examined with the RBPT, mRBPT, SAT, and cELISA. hsRBPT antigen was included in the tests. Results of examination of the 388 serum samples showed that 9 (2.3%) of the samples were positive with the RBPT and 10 (2.6%) with both the mRBPT and the hsRBPT. Of the 10 samples positive with the RBPTs, nine were confirmed positive with the cELISA. The SAT antibody concentrations of the 10 samples were all ≥ 30 IU/ml which were considered positive. Statistical analysis of the 13 risk factors which were governorate, locality, occupation of the sheep owner, his education and knowledge of brucellosis, sheep age, sex, flock type, type of breeding, abortion history, sources of fodder, water sources and flocks sizes of sheep sampled, showed that five of them: education level, source of breed, abortion cases, source of fodder and water sources were significant factors (P-value ≤ 0.25 the significant level in the univariate analysis) and only one out of the five factors was significant in the multivariate analysis (P-value < 0.05 with 95.0% C.I 1.190_ 75.637). X The study concluded that brucellosis is prevalent in sheep in the state and need more epidemiological studies. The study recommended more studies on potential risk factors, hygiene of mixed farming of sheep and cattle in the farms is necessary and isolation of Brucella from sheep in the state is important for control policies.