Prevalence of bovine brucellosis, tuberculosis and dermatophilosis among cattle from Benin’s main dairy basins

Abstract

In order to determine the prevalence of bovine brucellosis, tuberculosis and dermatophilosis, a study was carried out in main dairy areas of Benin from April to September 2015. For brucellosis, 780 sera and 78 milk samples were analyzed by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). For tuberculosis, 780 cattle underwent a comparative intradermal tuberculin test and 78 milk samples were used for Ziehl-Neelsen’s staining. About dermatophilosis, 78 samples of scabs were collected for Giemsa’s staining. For brucellosis, the overall individual animal seroprevalence was 8.85%. The regions of Borgou with 19.33% and Atlantique with 0% prevalence showed significant differences (p <0.05) with the other regions. For tuberculosis, the overall individual animal prevalence was 2.18%. The regions of Borgou and Alibori, with 0% prevalence each, showed significant differences (p <0.05) with most other regions. Taking into account the individual animal prevalence, Zou (brucellosis 18.33%, tuberculosis 6.67%) and Plateau (brucellosis 10%, tuberculosis 6.67%) were the areas at risk for these two diseases. For dermatophilosis the overall herd prevalence was 23.08%. There was significant difference (p<0.05) between Alibori and Mono but also between Alibori and Zou. It is urgent, therefore, to put in place an adapted control strategy taking into account these geographical realities.