Seroprevalence of brucellosis in sheep in Tabriz, Iran

Brucellosis or Malta fever is a public health concern and an economically important disease with a worldwide distribution. After rabies, it is important zoonotic disease. The disease is endemic in some geographical areas, including Iran and it is one of the important problems in livestock and humans. The control of disease is highly dependent on the seroprevalence of this disease in livestock. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the seroprevalence of brucellosis in sheep in Tabriz to better control this disease in this region. A total of 200 serum samples were obtained from sheep and brucellosis were detected using the Rose Bengal test. The overall prevalence of brucellosis was 18.5% in sheep. The prevalence of brucellosis was 2% in male and 16.5% in female. The odds of brucellosis exposure in > 1 Year sheep (adult) were about 2 times higher than that of <1 Year sheep. The results of the present study showed that the prevalence of ovine brucellosis in the Tabriz Zone was relatively high. Age groups and sex were associated risk factors with the seroprevalence of this disease. Thus, a control and prevention programs of this disease are very important in this region.