Seroprevalence of Brucellosis, Knowledge, and Risky Practices in Dairy Cattle Owners and Workers in Maekel and Debub Regions, Eritrea.

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution. In Eritrea, the status of the disease in occupationally exposed dairy farmers is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis, level of knowledge, and risky practices of dairy cattle owners/workers in Maekel and Debub regions, Eritrea. A cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2021 and February 2022. A total of 416 dairy cattle owners and workers underwent blood collection and interview using a standardized questionnaire. Blood samples were tested using Rose Bengal Plate Test, and positive samples were confirmed using competitive ELISA. Variation in knowledge scores by sociodemographic factors and practices were explored statistically. The apparent and true seroprevalence was 1.2% (95% CI: 0.05-2.8%) and 1.4% (95% CI: 0.6-3.4%), respectively. Apparent seroprevalence was similar in Maekel (1.1%) and Debub (1.2%) regions. Nearly half of the participants (49.5%) had never heard of brucellosis before. Overall, brucellosis knowledge score was low (mean score: 6.53/20). Knowledge score was higher in participants from Maekel region (P <0.001), older participants (P = 0.035), those with higher educational attainment (P = 0.001), and those with more years of experience working in dairy farming (P = 0.001). Knowledge score was lower in farm workers compared with family members (P = 0.016). No significant differences in knowledge score existed between participants who engaged in or did not engage in potential risky practices. In summary, the prevalence of brucellosis in dairy cattle owners/workers in Maekel and Debub regions, Eritrea, was low. Participants demonstrated limited knowledge of brucellosis and engaged in risky practices.

Phylogenetic analysis of Newcastle disease virus detected in Eritrea between 2017 and 2021.

Thirty-five samples collected from chickens in 13 commercial farms in Eritrea between 2017 and 2021 following reports of disease were screened for Newcastle disease virus. Seventeen samples (50%) were shown to be positive by RT-PCR. An initial analysis of partial fusion (F) gene sequences of 10 representative samples indicated that the viruses belonged to subgenotype VII.1.1. Subsequently, full F gene sequence analysis of four of these representative samples confirmed the genotype of the viruses but also revealed that they were not identical to each other suggesting different origins of the VII.1.1 subgenotype viruses circulating in Eritrea. These data have implications for the control of Newcastle disease within the poultry population in Eritrea.

Prevalence of brucellosis and associated risk factors in dairy cattle in Maekel and Debub Regions, Eritrea.

Introduction: Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution. It is considered endemic in Eritrea, however, the current prevalence status and related risk factors in animals are unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for brucellosis in dairy cattle in Maekel and Debub regions, Eritrea. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted between August 2021 and February 2022. A total of 2,740 dairy cattle from 214 herds in 10 sub-regions of Eritrea were selected for blood and data collection. Blood samples were tested using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and positive samples were confirmed using competitive (c-ELISA). Data on risk factors was collected using questionnaire and analyzed using logistic regression. Results: In total, 34/2740 animals tested positive by RBPT. Of these, 29 were confirmed positive by c-ELISA, giving an apparent and estimated true individual-level prevalence of 1.1% (95% CI: 0.7, 1.5%) and 1.3% (95% CI: 0.9, 1.8%), respectively. Sixteen herds (7.5%) tested positive by RBPT and of these 15 herds (7.0%) were confirmed positive by c-ELISA, giving an estimated true herd-level prevalence of 7.0% (95% CI: 4.0, 10.7). Animal and herd-level apparent prevalence was 1.6 and 9.2% in Maekel, while in Debub it was 0.6 and 5.5%, respectively. Multivariable regression analysis indicated that non-pregnant lactating cows (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.35; p = 0.042) were more likely to be Brucella sero-positive. History of abortion on the farm (aOR = 5.71; p = 0.026) and larger number of cows in the herd (aOR = 1.14; p < 0.001) were associated with brucellosis sero-positivity in herds. Conclusion: Brucellosis prevalence was low in the study areas. Nonetheless, this low prevalence may increase if the disease is not controlled. Therefore, testing animals before movement, good farming practices, sanitary measures, and an awareness raising program on brucellosis are recommended.

Investigating peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in naturally infected goats and sheep in Anseba Region, Eritrea, by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

The impact of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) virus was investigated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on different samples obtained from non-vaccinated diseased and necropsied sheep and goats showing PPR-like symptoms. The disease picture was typical and sheep were observed to be less susceptible. Nasal and rectal swabs, whole blood and pathological tissue samples from the lungs, intestine, and mesenteric lymph nodes were used for this study. The results of RT-PCR indicated that from a total of 32 samples collected, 12 (41%) were positive by this method. Out of those collected samples, 29 were from goats and 3 were from sheep. Nasal and rectal swabs and blood samples were superior in detection of the PPR virus compared to other tissue samples.