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Survey of brucellosis at the wildlife–livestock interface on the Zimbabwean side of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area

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Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of bovine brucellosis in communal cattle and wildlife at a wildlife–livestock interface in the southeast lowveld of Zimbabwe, part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area. RBT and c-Elisa were used in serial for detection of antibodies against Brucella spp. Between July 2007 and October 2009, a total of 1,158 cattle were tested and the overall seroprevalence of brucellosis was 9.9%. A total of 97 wild animals (African buffaloes (n = 47), impala (n = 33), kudu (n = 16), and giraffe (n = 1)) were tested and only one animal (giraffe) was seropositive for brucellosis (1.03%). Brucella seroprevalence showed an increasing trend with age, with adult cattle (>6 years) recording the highest seroprevalence (11.1%), but the differences were not statistically significant. Similarly, female cattle recorded a relatively higher seroprevalence (10.8%) compared to males (7.9%), but the difference was not significant. However, a significant (P < 0.001) association between Brucella seropositivity and abortion history was recorded in female cattle. Similarly, Brucella seropositivity was significantly (P < 0.01) associated with a history of grazing in the park for female cattle. Overall, from the interface area, cattle with a history of grazing in the park recorded a significantly (P < 0.01) higher Brucella seroprevalence (13.5%) compared to those with no history of grazing in the park (4.9%). The significant association between abortion history and seropositivity observed in this study illustrates the potential economic significance of Brucella in cattle in this area. Hence, public awareness and further epidemiological studies of the disease in wildlife, livestock, and humans in the study area are of great importance.

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Acknowledgments

This work was conducted within the framework of the Research Platform “production and Conservation in partnership” RP-PCP. We thank the Ministère Francais de Affaires Etrangères for supporting this project through the French Embassy in Zimbabwe (RP-PCP grant/project AHE#1 2007 to 2009). Thanks are extended to the Veterinary services in the Chiredzi district, the Central Veterinary Laboratory and the Park and Wildlife Management Authority for field support and permit to work in areas under their jurisdiction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Central Veterinary Laboratory, 18 Bevan Building Borrowdale Road, Harare, Zimbabwe

    Calvin Gomo

  2. Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe

    Calvin Gomo & Davies Mubika Pfukenyi

  3. UPR AGIRs, Department ES, Cirad, Harare, Zimbabwe

    Michel de Garine-Wichatitsky & Alexandre Caron

  4. UPR AGIRs, Department ES, Cirad, Montpellier, France

    Michel de Garine-Wichatitsky & Alexandre Caron

  5. Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

    Alexandre Caron

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  1. Calvin Gomo
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  4. Davies Mubika Pfukenyi
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Correspondence to Calvin Gomo.

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Gomo, C., de Garine-Wichatitsky, M., Caron, A. et al. Survey of brucellosis at the wildlife–livestock interface on the Zimbabwean side of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area. Trop Anim Health Prod 44, 77–85 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-011-9890-5

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