Serosurvey of Brucella spp. infection in the Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) of the Kafue flats in Zambia.
One of the diseases of veterinary and public health importance affecting the Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) on the Kafue flats is brucellosis, for which only scant information is available. During the 2003 (October), 2004 (December), and 2008 (July-December) hunting seasons in the Kafue flats, we conducted a study to determine the seroprevalence of Brucella spp. in the Kafue lechwe and to evaluate serologic tests for detection of Brucella spp. antibodies in lechwe. The Rose Bengal Test (RBT), competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA), and fluorescence polarization assay (FPA) were used. A total of 121 Kafue lechwe were hunted for disease investigations in 2003, 2004, and 2008 in the Kafue Flat Game Management Area. Of these, 21.6%, (95% confidence interval [CI]: 14.2-29.1%) had detectable antibodies to Brucella spp. The Kafue lechwe in Lochnivar National Park had higher antibody results than those in Blue Lagoon National Park (odds ratio=3.0; 95% CI: 0.94-9.4). Infection levels were similar in females (21.6%) and males (21.7%). Results were similar among RBT, FPA, cELISA tests, suggesting that these could effectively be used in diagnosing brucellosis in the Kafue lechwe. Our study demonstrates the presence of Brucella infections in the Kafue lechwe in two national parks located in the Kafue flats and further highlights the suitability of serologic assays for testing the Kafue lechwe. Because the Kafue lechwe is the most hunted wildlife species in Zambia, hunters need to be informed of the public health risk of Brucella spp. infection.
Department of Disease Control, University of Zambia, School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia. jbwalya@lycos.com
John Bwalya
JB
Muma
Arve
A
Lund
Victor M
VM
Siamudaala
Hetron Mweemba
HM
Munang'andu
Musso
M
Munyeme
Gift
G
Matope
Klaus
K
Nielsen
Berit
B
DJønne
Jacques
J
Godfroid
Morten
M
Tryland
Eystein
E
Skjerve
D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000382:microbiology; D000866:Antelopes / Q000382:microbiology*; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D002002:Brucella / Q000276:immunology*; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011634:Public Health; D012621:Seasons; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D015024:Zambia / Q000453:epidemiology
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial