Sero-prevalence of brucellosis in small ruminants of Western Maharashtra

Abstract

Brucellosis in small ruminants is caused due to Brucella melitensis but, the pathogens are not entirely species specific, e.g., Goat and sheep may be infected with Brucella abortus which generally caused disease in bovines. The present study taken up to ascertain the sero-prevalence of brucellosis in small ruminants of Western Maharashtra. Total 300 animals were included from the flocks of small ruminants having history of abortion, retention of placenta, metritis and swelling of the testicles from Shirwal, Dahiwadi and Baramati. Serum samples were collected. Sero-prevalence was calculated by using i-ELISA. Out of 300 animals 32 were positive by i-ELISA and the overall sero-prevalence was found to be 10.66% with highest sero-prevalence was observed from Dahiwadi region as 16%. Maximum number of sero-positive cases found in the age group above 6 years as 13.72% and high sero-prevalence was noticed in males as 17.77% when compared to females.