Situação epidemiológica da brucelose bovina no Estado da Paraíba, Brasil.

Abstract

A study to characterize the epidemiological status of brucellosis was carried out in the State of Paraíba. The State was divided in three regions. Herds were randomly sampled in each region and a pre-established number of animals were sampled in each of these herds. A total of 3,489 serum samples from 674 herds were collected. The serum samples were screened for antibodies against Brucella spp. by the Rose-Bengal Test (RBT), and all positive sera were confirmed by the 2-mercaptoethanol test (2-ME). The herd was considered positive if at least one animal was positive in both RBT and 2-ME tests. The prevalence of infected herds and animals in the State were, respectively, 4.6% [3.2% - 6.5%] and 2.5% [1,1% - 3.9%]. The prevalence of infected herds and animals in the regions were, respectively: region 1, 3.2% [1.5% - 6.6%] and 1.7% [0.5% - 5.7%]; region 2, 2.2% [0.9% - 5.2%] and 0.7% [0.3% - 1.7%]; and region 3, 7.9% [5.0% - 12.2%] and 3.2% [1.6% - 6.3%].