الملخص الإنجليزي
The objectives of this study were to investigate the seroprevalence of Brucella infection and risk factors associated with Brucella infection in goats from eight villages in Al Jabel Al Akhdar, namely: Al Aqaieb, Al Helailat, Al Ghilayil, Hail Al Hedap, Da'an Al Hamra, Shnoot, Al Qasha'e and Al Sarah. The study showed serological, bacteriological and molecular evidence of infection of goats with the isolation of Brucella melitensis. The overall seroprevalence of Brucella infection in goats was 11.1%, which was determined based on an animal being positive in RBT, IELISA and/or CFT due to the strong association between them. The study also
demonstrates a focal seroprevalence among different villages with the highest seroprevalence reported in Al Helailat (40.0%) followed by Al Aqaieb (24.0%). No seropositive animals were found in Al Ghilayil, Hail Al Hedap, Da'an Al Hamra, Shnoot, Al Qasha'e or Al Sarah. Moreover, apart from the history of abortion, there was no significant association was between age or sex with the seroprevalence of Brucella infection in goats. Many of the risk factors predisposing to Brucella infection were assessed through a questionnaire. Mixing the animals for grazing during the day time and handling of aborted materials by the owners could pose a threat to public health. In addition, three Brucella isolates were obtained from milk and blood cultures using the BACTEC system and confirmed by the Vitek 2 system. The Multiplex PCR demonstrated bands characteristic exclusively of Brucella melitensis, and thereby indicating that Brucella melitensis may be the only species found in goats from Al Jabel Al Akhdar.
