Aim: Brucellosis is an important bacterial zoonosis devastating both animal and human populations in many parts of the world. A seroepidemiological study of avian Brucella infection was conducted to determine the disease prevalence, risk factors, and hence the role of chicken in the epidemiology of brucellosis in Anambra State, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: Rose Bengal plate test was used to test for Brucella antibody in sera samples collected from 410 chickens surveyed. The interview schedule was used to elicit information on the socioeconomic status, awareness of brucellosis and predisposing practices of poultry farmers, live bird sellers, and poultry carcass processors in the study area.

Results: An overall seroprevalence of 3% was recorded. Sex (female), free-range management system, breed (indigenous breed), and mix farming were the determinants of avian brucellosis in the state. Risk factors that may enhance human Brucella infection at the animal-human interface are non-use of personal protective clothing; poor awareness on brucellosis and methods of the disease spread or control, cohabitation with animals, and eating while on duty.

Conclusion: Chicken may be among the reservoirs of Brucella infection in Anambra State. There is an urgent need for an effective control program against brucellosis in the study area, using a coordinated One Health approach bearing in mind the public health and economic consequences of brucellosis.

Keywords: Brucella antibodies, Brucella infection, Brucella, chickens, humans, risk factors.

1. Alton GG, Jones LM, Angus RD, Verger JM. Techniques for the Brucellosis Laboratory. Paris: Institute National de la Recherche Agronomique; 1988. p. 192-5.

2. Onunkwo JI, Njoga EO, Nwanta JA, Shoyinka SV, Onyenwe IW, Eze JI. Serological survey of porcine Brucella infection in Southeast, Nigeria. Nigerian Vet J 2011;32:60-2. [Crossref]

3. Adamu NB, Adeniyi SO, Adamu SG, Bale JO, Okoh AE, Umaru GA, et al. Seroprevalence of brucellosis among livestock workers at Maiduguri cattle market, Borno State, North Eastern, Nigeria. J Pub Health Epidemiol 2015;7:253-7. [Crossref]

4. Adamu NB, Adamu SG, Jajere MS, Atsanda NN, Mustapha FB, Maina M. Serological Survey of Brucellosis in Slaughtered Local Chickens, Guinea Fowls, Ducks and Turkey in North-Eastern Nigeria. Int J Poultry Sci 2014;13:340-2. [Crossref]

5. Ior DD, Chukwu CC, Oche DA, Semaka AA. Serological evidence for Brucella infection in chickens in Benue State, North Central Nigeria. Continental J Anim Vet Res 2013;5:31-6.

6. Bale JO, Nuru S. Serological study of brucellosis in local fowls in Northern Nigeria. J Anim Prod Res 1982;2:53-62.

7. Chukwu CC, Anene BM. Serological Evidence of Avian Brucellosis in Anambra State, Nigeria. Zariya Vet 1988;3:36-9.

8. Agada CA, Ogugua AJ, Anzaku EJ. Occurrence of brucellosis in small ruminants slaughtered in Lafia central abattoir, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Sokoto J Vet Sci 2018;16:16-23. [Crossref]

9. Bamaiyi PH. Prevalence and risk factors of brucellosis in man and domestic animals: A review. Int J One Health 2016;2:29-34. [Crossref]

10. Njoga EO, Onunkwo JI, Okoli CE, Ugwuoke WI, Nwanta JA, Chah KF. Assessment of antimicrobial drug administration and antimicrobial residues in food animals in Enugu State, Nigeria. Trop Anim Health Prod 2018;50:897-902. [Crossref] [PubMed]

11. Junaidu AU, Salihu MD, Ahmed F, Ambursa MA, Gulumbo MI. Brucellosis in local chicken in Northern Nigeria Int J Poultry Sci 2006;5:547-9. [Crossref]

12. Adamu M, Mshelia GD, Elelu N, Ouda L, Egwu GO. Studies on farmer awareness on caprine abortion and the presence of Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis in selected flocks in an arid zone of Nigeria. J Vet Med Health 2012;4:17-21.

13. Adesokan HK, Alabi PI, Stack JA, Cadmus SI. Knowledge and practices related to bovine brucellosis transmission amongst livestock workers in Yewa, South-western Nigeria. J South Afr Vet Assoc 2013;84:121-5. [Crossref]

14. Ducrotoy M, Bertu WJ, Matope G, Cadmus S, Conde-Alvarez R, Gusi AM, et al. Brucellosis in Sub-Saharan Africa: Current challenges for management, diagnosis and control. Acta Trop 2017;165:179-93. [Crossref] [PubMed]

15. Ducrotoy MJ, Bertu WJ, Ocholi RA, Gusi AM, Bryssinckx W, Welburn S, et al. Brucellosis as an emerging threat in developing economies: Lessons from Nigeria. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014;8:e3008. [Crossref] [PubMed] [PMC]

16. Jajere SM, Atsanda NN, Bitrus AA, Hamisu TM, Ayo AO. Seroprevalence of brucellosis among cattle slaughtered in three municipal abattoirs of Gombe state, Northeastern Nigeria. Vet World 2016;9:1082-6. [Crossref] [PubMed] [PMC]

17. Kaltungo BY, Saidu SN, Sackey AK, Kazeem HM. Seroprevalence of brucellosis in sheep in North Senatorial District of Kaduna, Nigeria. Asian Pac J Trop Dis 2015;5:163-8. [Crossref]

18. Shehu LM, Ehitade EC. Serological survey of brucellosis in local chickens, guinea fowl, ducks and turkey in Bauchi and Environs. Nig Vet J 1999;20:4747-50.

19. Gugong VT, Maurice NA, Ngbede EO, Hambolu SM, Ajogi I. Serological evidence of brucellosis in local chickens in Kaduna State, Nigeria. J Anim Vet Adv 2012;11:418-9. [Crossref]

20. Kudi AC, Kalla DJ, Kudi MC, Yusuf H. Serological survey of brucellosis in traditionally managed domestic fowl in northern Guinea Savannah, Nigeria. World's Poultry J 1997;53:287-28. [Crossref]

21. Reddy D1, Singh DK, Mantur BG, Kumar A, Kumari G, Rajagunalan S, et al. Seroepidemiology of human brucellosis in Karnataka. J Vet Pub Hlth 2014;12:113-5.

22. Cadmus SI, Ijagbone IF, Oputa HE, Adesokan HK, Stack JA. Serological survey of brucellosis in livestock animals and workers in Ibadan Nigeria. Afr J Biomed Res 2006;9:163-8.

23. Aworh MK, Okolocha E, Kwaga J, Fasina F, Lazarus D, Suleman I, et al. Human brucellosis: Seroprevalence and associated exposure factors among abattoir workers in Abuja, Nigeria. Pan Afr Med J 2013. DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2013.16.103.2143. [Crossref]

24. Dean AS, Crump L, Greter H, Schelling E, Zinsstag J. Global burden of human brucellosis: A systematic review of disease frequency. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2012;6:e1865. [Crossref] [PubMed] [PMC]

25. Kaltungo BY, Saidu SN, Sackey AK, Kazeem HM. A review on diagnostic techniques for brucellosis. Afr J Biotechnol 2014;13:1-10. [Crossref]

26. Pappas G, Panagopoulou P, Christou L, Akritidis N. Brucella as a biological weapon. Cell Mol Life Sci 2006;63:2229-36. [Crossref] [PubMed]

27. Njoga EO, Onunkwo JI., Ekere SO., Njoga UJ., Okoro WN. Seroepidemiology of equine brucellosis and role of horse carcass processors in spread of Brucella infection in Enugu State, Nigeria 2018; Int. J. Curr. Res. Rev., 10:39-45.

28. Khan AQ, Haleem SK, Shafiq M, Khan NA, Rahman S. Seropositivity of brucellosis in human and livestock in Tribal-Kurram Agency of Pakistan indicates cross circulation. Thai J Vet Med 2017;47:349-55.

29. McDermott J, Grace D, Zinsstag J. Economics of brucellosis impact and control in low-income countries. Rev Sci Tech OIE (International Office of Epizootics) 2013;32:249-61. [Crossref]

30. Ogugua AJ, Akinseye OV, Ayoola MC, Stack J, Cadmus SI. Risk factors associated with brucellosis among slaughtered cattle: Epidemiological insight from two metropolitan abattoirs in Southwestern Nigeria. Asian Pac J Trop Dis 2015;5:747-53. [Crossref]

31. Samakabadi EK, Mushi EZ, Basupang K, Binta MG. Brucella abortus antibodies in the sera of indigenous chickens around Gaborone, Botswana. J Anim Vet 2008;7:1610-2.

32. Nabirye HM, Erume J, Nasinyama GW, Kungu JM, Nakavuma J, Ongeng D, et al. Brucellosis: Community, medical and veterinary workers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices in Northern Uganda. Int J One Health 2017;3:12-8. [Crossref]

33. Petersen E, Rajashekara G, Sanakkayala N, Eskra L, Harms J, Splitter G. Erythritol triggers expression of virulence traits in Brucella melitensis. Microb Infect 2013;15:440-9. [Crossref] [PubMed] [PMC]

34. Sabrina R, Taha MH, Bakir M, Asma M, Khaoula B. Detection of Brucella spp. in milk from seronegative cows by real-time polymerase chain reaction in the region of Batna, Algeria. Vet World 2018;11:363-7. [Crossref] [PubMed] [PMC]

---