title: A mixed methods study of ruminant brucellosis in central-eastern Tunisia.
abstract: In this study, we conducted an investigation to determine the true prevalence of bovine and ovine brucellosis in central-eastern Tunisia. A total of 1134 veterinary samples taken from 130 ruminant herds were screened for brucellosis using IS711-based real-time PCR assay. Sera collected from the ruminants were tested using the Rose Bengal test and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Based on serological and molecular results, the true adjusted animal population level prevalence was 23.5 % in cattle, against 13.5 % in sheep. In addition, the true adjusted herd level prevalence of brucellosis was 55.6 % in cattle and 21.8 % in sheep. A statistically significant association was found between vaginal and milk shedding for ruminants. In addition, our results showed that Brucella abortus could be responsible for bovine and ovine brucellosis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis at the animal population level indicated that age and origin variables were important risk factors for cattle. However, age and abortion variables were found to be associated with ovine brucellosis. At the herd level, risk factors for Brucella positivity were as follows: abortion and herd composition for cattle against herd composition, mortality rates, and hygiene for sheep. Animal hygiene, food quality, and sanitary practices on the farm should be applied as strategies to control brucellosis in herds.
authors.affiliation: Toxicology-Microbiology and Environmental Health Unit (UR11ES70), Faculty of Sciences, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia. mohamedbarkallah@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barkallah
authors.affiliation: Toxicology-Microbiology and Environmental Health Unit (UR11ES70), Faculty of Sciences, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Yaakoub
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gharbi
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Research of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zormati
authors.affiliation: Toxicology-Microbiology and Environmental Health Unit (UR11ES70), Faculty of Sciences, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Nesrine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Karkouch
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Research of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Zouhir
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mallek
authors.affiliation: Equipe Microbiologie de l'œuf et des Ovoproduits (MICOV), Agrocampus Ouest, INRA, (UMR1253) Science et Technologie du Lait et de l'Œuf, Rennes, France.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gautier
authors.affiliation: Toxicology-Microbiology and Environmental Health Unit (UR11ES70), Faculty of Sciences, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Radhouane
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gdoura
authors.affiliation: Toxicology-Microbiology and Environmental Health Unit (UR11ES70), Faculty of Sciences, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Imen
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fendri
mesh_terms: D000034:Abortion, Veterinary; D000818:Animals; D002003:Brucella abortus; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002007:Brucellosis, Bovine / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002417:Cattle / Q000382:microbiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D008892:Milk; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D034561:Sheep, Domestic / Q000382:microbiology*; D014416:Tunisia
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial
keywords: Brucellosis; Real-time PCR; Risk factors; Ruminants; Serological tests