title: Prevalence of bovine tuberculosis and risk factor assessment in cattle in rural livestock areas of Govuro District in the Southeast of Mozambique.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis, is an infectious disease of cattle that also affects other domestic animals, free-ranging and farmed wildlife, and also humans. In Mozambique, scattered surveys have reported a wide variation of bTB prevalence rates in cattle from different regions. Due to direct economic repercussions on livestock and indirect consequences for human health and wildlife, knowing the prevalence rates of the disease is essential to define an effective control strategy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted in Govuro district to determine bTB prevalence in cattle and identify associated risk factors. A representative sample of the cattle population was defined, stratified by livestock areas (n = 14). A total of 1136 cattle from 289 farmers were tested using the single comparative intradermal tuberculin test. The overall apparent prevalence was estimated at 39.6% (95% CI 36.8-42.5) using a diagnostic threshold cut-off according to the World Organization for Animal Health. bTB reactors were found in 13 livestock areas, with prevalence rates ranging from 8.1 to 65.8%. Age was the main risk factor; animals older than 4 years were more likely to be positive reactors (OR = 3.2, 95% CI: 2.2-4.7). Landim local breed showed a lower prevalence than crossbred animals (Landim × Brahman) (OR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-0.8).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings reveal an urgent need for intervention with effective, area-based, control measures in order to reduce bTB prevalence and prevent its spread to the human population. In addition to the high prevalence, population habits in Govuro, particularly the consumption of raw milk, clearly may potentiate the transmission to humans. Thus, further studies on human tuberculosis and the molecular characterization of the predominant strain lineages that cause bTB in cattle and humans are urgently required to evaluate the impact on human health in the region.
authors.affiliation: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Paraclinic Department, Veterinary Faculty, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique.
authors.forename: Ivânia
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Moiane
authors.affiliation: Paraclinic Department, Veterinary Faculty, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique.
authors.forename: Adelina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.affiliation: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
authors.forename: Nuno
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Paraclinic Department, Veterinary Faculty, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique.
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nhambir
authors.affiliation: Paraclinic Department, Veterinary Faculty, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique.
authors.forename: Osvaldo
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Inlamea
authors.affiliation: Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hattendorf
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Gunilla
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Källenius
authors.affiliation: Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jakob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zinsstag
authors.affiliation: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
authors.forename: Margarida
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Correia-Neves
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D008297:Male; D009073:Mozambique / Q000453:epidemiology; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health; D014380:Tuberculosis, Bovine / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*