SEROPREVALENCE OF BRUCELLOSIS IN CATTLE (BOS TAURUS) KEPT IN PERI URBAN AREAS OF PAKISTAN

Brucellosis is a highly contagious bacterial disease of zoonotic importance that causes significant economic losses. Many factors affect the prevalence of brucellosis and variable with the diagnostic tests applied. These all necessitates to carry out seroprevalence frequently to suggest control measures, this study was thus carried out to the seroprevalence and various factors affecting its prevalence. Total of 335 cows of various age groups, breeds (Cross-bred (Sahiwal X Friesian), Friesian, Sahiwal, Cholistani and Jersey) and stages (pregnant/non-pregnant, lactating/non-lactating) were selected randomly for sampling. Blood was collected and serum was separated and subjected to Rose Bengal Precipitation Test (RBPT). RBPT positive samples were confirmed by c-ELISA for further analysis. The seroprevalence was 12.53% and 2.40% through RBPT and c-ELISA, respectively. The prevalence of the disease based on RBPT was higher in cross-bred, females, mature, good condition, pregnant and lactating animals as compared to their counterparts. It was concluded that the cross-bred cattle, pregnancy and lactation are playing important roles for the disease prevalence. Specific preventive measures be opted for control of the disease.