Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with brucellosis in goats in Nyagatare district, Rwanda

Abstract Caprine brucellosis, normally caused by Brucella melitensis in goats, is endemic in Rwanda. However, reliable data on caprine brucellosis in Rwanda is insufficient and data on the prevalence and risk factors linked with goats’ brucellosis in the district of Nyagatare is unknown. A cross-sectional study was conducted among herds of goats in six sectors of Nyagatare district ( n =102), to characterise factors at herd level associated with brucellosis seroprevalence in goats. Serum from goats was screened using both the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) and the Rose Bengal test (RBT). A tested systematic questionnaire was used to obtain data about major risk factors for brucellosis. Brucellosis seroprevalence was 6.8% and 10.7% on RBT and iELISA respectively. The overall seroprevalence was 6.8% on animal level and 16.6% on the herd level in series with RBT and iELISA. Mixing a herd of cattle and goats and history of abortions were the risk factors identified to be considerably linked with Brucella seropositive herd ( p < 0.05). This study confirmed that brucellosis is endemic in the area, and a one-health strategy for controlling and preventing brucellosis in the Nyagatare district is strongly recommended. The study recommends an awareness campaign to educate all livestock farmers on brucellosis, further studies are recommended to characterize the Brucella spp. in small ruminants in Rwanda and recommend appropriate control measures.