Seroprevalence of brucellosis in sheep in Mymensingh and Netrokona district of Bangladesh

Brucellosis is an economically important disease worldwide. Bangladesh has been reported an endemic area for brucellosis. The occurrence of brucellosis in people and the distribution of the disease among the livestock to be spatially related. A survey of brucellosis was carried out in sheep of Netrakona and Mymensingh districts of Bangladesh. A total number 102 blood samples were collected from sheep of the selected areas. Information of sheep’s age, sex, location, pregnancy status, abortion, reproductive disorder were collected and tested for Brucella specific antibody response by RBT (Rose Bengal Test) and iELISA (Indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay). The overall serological prevalence of brucellosis was recorded 9.80% in sheep. The prevalence of brucellosis in male sheep was higher than in female in Mymensingh and vice versa in Netrokon district. The overall prevalence of brucellosis was higher in sheep with abortion than sheep with no abortion. The higher rate of Brucella abortus antibody was recorded in sheep above 2 years of age.The study revealed that the risk of being infected by brucellosis of sheep in Netrakona is 1.32 times higher than that of a sheep in Mymensingh. The result suggests that female sheep has an increased chance of brucellosis than a male. The prevalence of brucellosis was higher in sheep with history of abortion, and pregnancy compared to sheep with history of anestrus and failure to conception. The results of the study provide a baseline data for further study of Brucella ovis infections in the area and a landmark for taking control measures of brucellosis.