Sero-prevalence and risk factors associated with Brucella Canis infection in dogs in Zombo District, Northwestern Uganda

Abstract

Canine brucellosis is an infectious debilitating disease of economic and public health significance in dogs worldwide. In Uganda, no systematic study has been conducted to establish the occurrence of the condition in dog populations, thus a research gap explored by the study. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the sero-prevalence and risk factors associated with Brucella canis infection among domestic dogs in Zombo district, Northwestern Uganda. Using multi-stage sampling technique, 427 sera samples were collected from dogs in the study area between September and November, 2019. Demographic and epidemiological information for each dog was recorded. The Canine Brucella ELISA kit was used to evaluate the test sera for antibodies against Brucella canis infection. Overall, 6.6% of the dogs in the study area were positive for antibodies against Brucella canis and, males (7.8%) were more infected than females (5.3%). The purpose of keeping dogs was significantly associated with Brucella canis sero-status among dogs in Zombo district, Northwestern Uganda (AOR = 3.15; 95% CI: 1.29-7.64; p = 0.011). The dogs used for multipurpose (hunting and guarding) activities were 3.15 times more likely to be exposed to Brucella canis infection compared to those dogs that were used only for guarding. The study has, for the first time, demonstrated the existence and magnitude of the zoonotic Brucella canis pathogen circulating among domestic dogs in Zombo district, Northern Uganda. This finding has significant implications for public health in the area of study given the fact that the Brucella canis sero-prevalence has hitherto been unknown and of low suspicion in humans. The study findings deepen the need for a “One Health” approach to effective brucellosis management, including public health education, at all levels. The Veterinary Services Sector of Zombo District Local Government should consider implementing a comprehensive canine brucellosis control strategy that specifically targets dogs used in multiple outdoor (hunting and farm-guarding) activities in order to minimize the risk of the disease transmission and spread from infected dogs to susceptible dogs and humans. A comprehensive study should be conducted nationally to elucidate the epidemiology and impact of Brucella canis infection amongst domestic dogs as well as humans in Uganda. Further work is required to perform molecular characterization of the Brucella strain or biovar circulating among dogs in Zombo district specifically, and in Uganda.