Open Access
Research (Published online: 30-05-2023)
27. Management of bovine brucellosis in organized dairy herds through the identification of risk factors: A cross-sectional study from Karnataka, India
Rajeswari Shome, Krithiga Natesan, Triveni Kalleshamurthy, Chaitra Yadav, Swati Sahay, Somy Skariah, Nagalingam Mohandoss, Obli Rajendran Vinodh Kumar, Bibek Ranjan Shome, and Habibur Rahman
Veterinary World, 16(5): 1122-1130

Rajeswari Shome: ICAR-NIVEDI, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Krithiga Natesan: ICAR-NIVEDI, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Triveni Kalleshamurthy: ICAR-NIVEDI, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India; School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Dayananda Sagar University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Chaitra Yadav: ICAR-NIVEDI, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Swati Sahay: ICAR-NIVEDI, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Somy Skariah: ICAR-NIVEDI, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Nagalingam Mohandoss: ICAR-NIVEDI, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Obli Rajendran Vinodh Kumar: Division of Epidemiology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Bibek Ranjan Shome: ICAR-NIVEDI, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Habibur Rahman: International Livestock Research Institute, NASC Complex, CG Center, DPS Marg, Pusa, New Delhi, India.

doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.1122-1130

Article history: Received: 18-11-2022, Accepted: 27-04-2023, Published online: 30-05-2023

Corresponding authors: Rajeswari Shome

E-mail: rajeswarishome@gmail.com

Citation: Shome R, Natesan K, Kalleshamurthy T, Yadav C, Sahay S, Skariah S, Mohandoss N, Kumar ORV, Shome BR, and Rahman H (2023) Management of bovine brucellosis in organized dairy herds through the identification of risk factors: A cross-sectional study from Karnataka, India, Veterinary World, 16(5): 1122-1130.
Abstract

Background and Aim: Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by Brucella species. This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with bovine brucellosis seropositivity in organized dairy farms to control the disease in unvaccinated adult bovine herds in Karnataka, India.

Materials and Methods: In total, 3610 samples (3221 cattle and 389 buffaloes) were subjected to parallel testing using the Rose Bengal plate test and protein G-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, followed by analyses of animal- and farm-level epidemiological datasets to identify the risk factors.

Results: The apparent brucellosis prevalence at the animal level was higher in buffaloes (8.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.9–11.4) than in cattle (6.1%, 95% CI = 5.3–7.0). In a multivariable logistic model, animals calved 3–5 times (odds ratio [OR] = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.50–3.1, reference [ref]: animals calved <2 times); animals with a history of abortion (OR = 54.73, 95% CI = 33.66–89.02), repeat breeding (OR = 19.46, 95% CI = 11.72–32.25), and placental retention (OR = 13.94, 95% CI = 4.92–39.42, ref: no clinical signs); and dogs on farms (OR = 2.55, 95% CI = 1.48–4.40, ref: absence of dogs); disposal of aborted fetus in open fields (OR = 4.97, 95% CI = 1.93–12.84) and water bodies (OR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.50–3.1, ref: buried); purchase of animals from other farms (OR = 6.46, 95% CI = 1.01–41.67, ref: government farms); hand milking (OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.02–10.0, ref: machine milking); and use of monthly veterinary services (OR = 3.45, 95% CI = 1.28–9.29, ref: weekly services) were considered significant risk factors for brucellosis in organized bovine herds (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: The study identified that the animals calved 3–5 times or with a history of abortion/repeat breeding/placental retention, and disposal of aborted fetus in open fields/water bodies as the potential risk factors for bovine brucellosis. These risk factors should be controlled through the implementation of best practices to reduce the brucellosis burden in bovine farms.

Keywords: brucellosis, buffalo, cattle, India, risk factors, seroprevalence.