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Bovine Brucellosis: First Comprehensive Evaluation from Hamedan, an Endemic Area in Iran

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Abstract

Brucellosis is an infectious zoonotic disease. The disease is one of the major concerns in develo** societies due to its great importance for public health and economic losses in the animal industry. The principal target of the study was to detect the prevalence of brucellosis and associated risk factors in cattle from Hamedan (western Iran) using different laboratory techniques. In 2020, blood samples from 900 cattle were obtained to detect brucellosis prevalence in the region. After screening by the modified Rose Bengal plate test, the positive samples were reevaluated using the Wright standard tube agglutination test (SAT), 2-Mercaptoethanol (2-ME), and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serology-positive samples were confirmed by culturing bacteria from the lymph nodes and detecting Brucella DNA using specific primers, the BCSP31 target gene, and the IS711 locus. Brucellosis was detected in 1.88% (17/900, 95% CI 1–2.76%) of animals. The high prevalence of brucellosis was observed in female animals (2.77%, p = 0.947), 2–4 years old animals (2.88%, p = 0.994), Holsteins (5.69%, p = 0.989), farm animals (6.49%, p = 0.999), and animals with a history of vaccination against brucellosis (3.04%, p = 0.915). In addition, there was no positive sample in October and December, and also the highest prevalence rate was found in September (5.33%, p = 0.970). There was no statistically significant relationship between the variables and the rate of brucellosis. There were similar results between the different applied laboratory methods. The minimum and maximum levels of titer in the SAT method were + 2/80 and + 2/320, respectively. The rates for 2-ME were + 2/40 and + 4/160. Out of 17 positive samples, 2 were confirmed for B. melitensis and 15 for B. abortus. Notably, no sample showed co-infection of both B. abortus and B. melitensis. This study represents the first comprehensive evaluation of cattle brucellosis in Hamedan. Through molecular evaluation, the presence of Brucella spp. was identified in the seropositive samples. Among the cattle samples, the primary species isolated and confirmed was B. abortus. This finding shed light on the prevalence and distribution of Brucella species in the region, providing crucial insights for future disease management and control efforts. Considering the specificity of the used genes to detect bacteria, molecular biology can be a safe and rapid technique for diagnosing brucellosis, especially in cases without conclusive results. Regular screening of animals and culling seropositive animals are highly recommended; these affect the control of disease at the herd level.

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All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

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Acknowledgements

The authors appreciate the staff of Hamedan veterinary service for technical support.

Funding

This study was supported by grant No. 9808216031 from the deputy of research and technology, at Hamedan University of medical sciences.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Infectious Diseases Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

    Maryam Adabi & Marzieh Varasteh-Shams

  2. Infectious Ophthalmologic Research Center, Imam Khomeini Hospital Clinical Research Development Unit, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

    Maryam Adabi

  3. Department of Laboratory Sciences, Central Veterinary Laboratory, Iranian Veterinary Organization (IVO), Hamedan Veterinary Office, Ayatollah-Rafsanjani Street, Hamedan, Iran

    Jamal Gharekhani

  4. Department of Brucellosis, Agriculture Research, Education and Extension Organization, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Karaj, Iran

    Saeed Alamian

  5. Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

    Maryam Fathi-Sheikhi & Zahra Shivapour

  6. Hamadan Veterinary Council (NGO), Hamadan, Iran

    Hossein Ghaderi

  7. Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran

    Hossein Ghaderi

  8. Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Hamadan Branch, Hamadan, Iran

    Zahra Valiei

  9. Research Center for Health Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

    Salman khazaiee

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  1. Maryam Adabi
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Contributions

Conceptualization: JG and MA; Methodology: MV and SA; Formal analysis and investigation: SK, HG, ZV, and MV; Writing-original draft preparation: JG, MF, HG, ZS, and ZV; Writing-review and editing: MA, JG, and SA; Resources: JG and SA; JG prepared Figs. 1 and 2. All authors reviewed the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jamal Gharekhani.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Ethical Approval

This study involved a questionnaire-based survey of farmers as well as blood sampling from their animals. The study protocol was assessed and approved by the Animal Welfare Committee of Hamedan University of Medical Sciences (IR. UMSHA.REC.1398.575). The farmers provided their verbal informed consent for animal sampling as well as for the related survey questions. The collection of samples was carried out by veterinarians adhering to the regulations and guidelines on animal husbandry and welfare. The ethical principles were also followed closely during the data analysis and article submission.

Consent to Participate

All of the animals in sampled regions have owners; the consents of owners are documented and available (in the local language).

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Adabi, M., Gharekhani, J., Alamian, S. et al. Bovine Brucellosis: First Comprehensive Evaluation from Hamedan, an Endemic Area in Iran. Indian J Microbiol (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12088-023-01152-y

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