Nanven A. Mauricea, James O. Baleb, Clara N. Kwanashiec, Ikwe Ajogid, Victoria Mainae, Magdalene B. Nanvenc, Emmanuel O. Ngbedec
Brucellosis is an important veterinary and public health problem worldwide especially in developing countries where the disease has remained a neglected zoonosis. Blood was collected from a total of 354 cattle including vagina swabs (14) and hygroma aspirate (1) from cows reported to have recently aborted and a bull with carpal hygroma respectively. Sera was harvested from the blood samples and screened for antibodies to Brucella using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) while the vagina swabs and hygroma aspirates were cultured for isolation of Brucella. Biotyping was carried based on biochemical activity and lysis of the isolates by Tbilisi (Tb), Weybrigde (Wb) and Berkely (Bk2) Brucella bacteriophages. Out of the 354 sera samples 149 (42.09%) were positive for Brucella antibodies while only 2 samples; a vagina swab and a hygroma aspirate from different animals (a cows and a bull respectively) exhibited typical cultural characteristics of Brucella and where identified as Brucella abortus biotype 1. The findings of this study have provided for the first time, serological and bacteriological evidence suggesting the circulation of Brucella abortus biotype 1 among the pastoralist cattle population on the Obudu plateau. This finding represents a threat for the introduction and spread of the disease to other areas as well as other animal and human. Urgent institution of brucellosis control measures as well as proper enlightenment of the herdsmen and public on brucellosis and preventive measures are recommended.
