Year: 2023 | Month: October | Volume 13 | Issue 5

Prevalence of Exposure to Brucella Species in Lactating Cattle in the Ludhiana District of Punjab, India

Vijay Sharma
DOI:10.30954/2277-940X.05.2023.7

Abstract:

Brucellosis is a neglected endemic disease in Punjab and has a substantial impact on livestock and humans. A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of Brucella species exposure in lactating cattle reared among dairy farmers in the Ludhiana district of Punjab, India. Blood samples were collected from 261 lactating animals (181 cattle and 80 buffalo) and were tested using Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and Indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (i-ELISA). Information from the dairy farmers relating to animals such as breed of the cow, history of abortion, repeat breeding, retention of placenta was collected. An animal was considered overall seropositive based on a positive RBPT and a positive i-ELISA test. Of the 261 blood samples, 46 were positive using RBPT indicating an apparent sero-prevalence of 17.62%, and 58 were positive using i-ELISA reflecting an apparent sero-prevalence of 22.22%. The overall (animal positive in RBPT and a positive indirect ELISA test) apparent sero-prevalence was 15.71% (41 positive). The sero-prevalence was higher in cattle (18.23%) than in buffalo (10%). Regarding breed-wise, crossbreed cows showed slightly higher seropositivity (18.25%) than indigeneous cows (18.18%). Animals with a history of abortion, repeat breeding and retention of placenta (ROP) also showed seropositivity to brucellosis disease. More epidemiological investigations are required to generate data on the status of brucellosis in lactating cattle for the development of an extensive control program in India, including Punjab.

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