Abstract
Brucellosis is an infectious and zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution. Despite its control program,
the disease is endemic in Iran and remains one of the most important public health problems. The aim
of this survey was to determine the seroprovalence of brucellosis in livestock animals in Sarab City,
Iran. A total of 1500 animals (600 cattle, 740 sheep and 160 goats) were examined for brucellosis from
February 2007 to September 2008. The examined animals were divided into two sex groups (male and
female). Moreover cattle were divided into four breed groups (Holstein, Brown Swiss, Native and Mixed).
Serological examinations including Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), serum agglutination test (SAT) and
2-mercaptoethanol test (2ME) were performed on serum samples obtained from examined animals. In
overall, out of 1500 blood samples 61 (4.06%) were positive for brucellosis. The prevalence of
brucellosis in cattle, sheep and goats were found 3.66, 4.18 and 5%, respectively. The prevalence rates
of brucellosis in different breeds of cattle, Holstein, Brown Swiss, native and mixed breeds were
determined as: 4.72, 2.22, 2.50 and 3.75%, respectively. The prevalence rates of the disease in male and
female animals were determined as follows: Male cattle, 1.53%, female cattle, 3.92%, male sheep, 2.8%,
female sheep, 4.89%, male goats, 2.22%, and female goats, 6.08%. There were differences in the
prevalences of brucellosis in different breeds and sexes of examined animals however statistically were
not significant (P>0.05, X
2
<3.84). The results of the present study indicated that the prevalence of
brucellosis in livestock animals in Sarab City is relatively high and effective control program of the
disease should be recommended.
Key words: Brucellosis, Sarab, prevalence, livestock.
