Epidemiological situation of bovine brucellosis in the State of Paraiba, Brazil

This study was performed to characterize the epidemiological status of brucellosis in the State of Paraíba, Brazil. The State was divided into three regions. Herds were randomly sampled in each region and a pre-established number of animals were sampled in each of these herds. A total of 3,489 serum samples from 674 herds were collected. In each herd, an epidemiological questionnaire was conducted. This questionnaire focused on herd traits, as well as husbandry and sanitary practices that could be associated with the risk of infection. The serum samples were screened for antibodies against Brucella spp. by the Rose-Bengal Test (RBT), and all positive sera were confirmed by the 2-mercaptoethanol test (2-ME). The herd was considered positive if at least one animal had positive results for both the RBT and the 2-ME test. The prevalence rates of infected herds and animals in the State were 4.6% [3.2-6.5%] and 2.5% [1.1-3.9%], respectively. The prevalence rates of infected herds and animals in the regions were, respectively: region 1, 3.2% [1.5-6.6%] and 1.7% [0.5-5.7%]; region 2, 2.2% [0.9-5.2%] and 0.7% [0.3-1.7%]; and region 3, 7.9% [5.0-12.2%] and 3.2% [1.6-6.3%]. The risk factor (odds ratio, OR) associated with the presence of the infection was Zebuine as the predominant breed (OR=12.30 [1.32-114.64]).