PREVALENCE OF ANTl-Brucella abortus ANTIBODY AND STUDY OF RISK FACTORS FOR BOVINE BRUCELLOSIS IN DAIRY CATTLE IN THE MICROREGION OF ARAGUAINA, TOCATNTINS, BRAZIL

The aim was to determine the prevalence of bovine brucellosis, to identify infection associated risk factors, and to understand the production and sanitation profile of the milk farms in the microregion of Araguaina, Tocantins. A total of 893 blood samples from cows collected from 38 herds were analyzed. The serum obtained was subjected to three different tests: acidified antigen serum agglutination test, slow serum agglutination in tubes, and 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME). A prevalence of 3.8% serum positive animals and 44.7% foci of Brucella abortus infection were found. There was at least one suggestive symptom for Brucella abortus infection on 22 (57.9%) farms, and other 16 (42.1%) did not report any changes in reproduction indicative for brucellosis. The main risk factor identified for the disease was the absence of quarantine (OR = 5.06; IC 95% = 1.33-19.17). The results of this study showed that the disease is disseminated in the region and that control measures should be adoption of a program focused on vaccination, traffic control and quarantine.