Seroprevalence and associated risk factors for camel brucellosis in south Algeria

Abstract

Brucellosis is a disease caused by a facultative intracellular bacterium of Brucella genus. It affects broad range of mammalian hosts. Diagnosis is not based in clinical symptoms, a combination of serological, molecular and bacteriological tests was recommended to the detection of brucellosis infection. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of Brucella spp in camels by two serological tests: RBPT and ELISA and to identify the associated risk factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 132 camels from Ghardaïa and El Menia districts. A structured questionnaire was performed to collect data related to animals (age, gender, breed, herd size, husbandry system, history of abortion and geographical location). The seroprevalence obtained was 5.3 % and 1.4 % using ELISA test and RBPT, respectively.  Possible risk factors associated to the infection were analysed using univariate and logistic regression. The results showed a higher seroprevalence in females (P = 0.01) and animals living in flocks with history of abortion (P = 0.004, OR = 2.76, CI 95% = 2.37–104.54). Brucellosis is endemic in camels in Algeria and prophylactic measures should be taken to reduce the animals and humans infection.