FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Ecohealth / Representative seroprevalences of human and livestock brucel...
EcoHealth2014; 11(3); 356-371; doi: 10.1007/s10393-014-0962-7

Representative seroprevalences of human and livestock brucellosis in two Mongolian provinces.

Abstract: Mongolia implemented a brucellosis livestock mass vaccination campaign from 2000 to 2009. However, the number of human cases did not decline since 2004 and the current epidemiological situation in Mongolia was uncertain. The objective of this study was to estimate the representative seroprevalences of humans and livestock in two provinces in view of their comparison with officially reported data. A representative cross-sectional study using cluster sampling proportional to size in humans, sheep, goats, cattle, yaks, horses, camels and dogs was undertaken to assess the apparent seroprevalence in humans and animals. A total of 8054 livestock and dog sera and 574 human sera were collected in Sukhbaatar and Zavkhan provinces. Human and animal sera were tested with the Rose Bengal and ELISA tests. The overall apparent seroprevalence of brucellosis was 27.3% in humans (95% CI 23.7-31.2%), 6.2% (95% CI 5.5-7.1%) in sheep, 5.2% (95% CI 4.4-5.9%) in goats, 16.0% (95% CI 13.7-18.7%) in cattle, 2.5% (95% CI 0.8-7.6%) in camels, 8.3 (95% CI 6.0-11.6%) in horses and 36.4% (95% CI 26.3-48.0%) in dogs. More women than men were seropositive (OR = 1.7; P < 0.0014). Human seroprevalence was not associated with small ruminant and cattle seroprevalence at the nomadic camp (hot ail) level. Annual incidence of clinical brucellosis, inferred from the seroprevalence using a catalytic model, was by a factor of 4.6 (1307/280) in Sukhbaatar and by a factor of 59 (1188/20) in Zavkhan. This represents a 15-fold underreporting of human brucellosis in Mongolia. The lack of access to brucellosis diagnostic testing at the village level hinders rural people from receiving appropriate treatment. In conclusion, this study confirms the high seroprevalence of human and livestock brucellosis in Mongolia. Stringent monitoring and quality control of operational management of a nationwide mass vaccination of small and large ruminants is warranted to assure its effectiveness. More research is needed to understand the complex animal-human interface of brucellosis transmission at different scales from farm to provincial level.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2014-07-11 PubMed ID: 25012215PubMed Central: PMC4111879DOI: 10.1007/s10393-014-0962-7Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research examines the prevalence of brucellosis, a zoonotic disease, in humans and livestock in two provinces in Mongolia. Despite a mass vaccination campaign for livestock between 2000 and 2009, human brucellosis cases did not decline, revealing high underreporting of the disease and a need for improved diagnostic access and intensified monitoring of vaccination activities.

Study Objectives and Methodology

  • The study aimed at estimating the prevalent rates of brucellosis in humans and animals in the Sukhbaatar and Zavkhan provinces of Mongolia, comparing findings with the official reported data.
  • It was a cross-sectional study that used cluster sampling proportional to size in humans, sheep, goats, cattle, yaks, horses, camels, and dogs to assess the apparent seroprevalence in humans and animals.
  • Over 8000 livestock and dog sera, and approximately 600 human sera samples were collected. These samples were tested using the Rose Bengal and ELISA tests.

Findings

  • High rates of apparent seroprevalence (presence of antibodies) of brucellosis were discovered in both humans and animals. Specifically, 27.3% in humans, 6.2% in sheep, 5.2% in goats, 16.0% in cattle, 2.5% in camels, 8.3% in horses, and 36.4% in dogs.
  • More women than men showed positive results for brucellosis. However, human seroprevalence was not associated with small ruminant and cattle seroprevalence at the nomadic camp level.

Clinical Brucellosis Incidence Estimates

  • Using a catalytic model, the inferred annual incidence of clinical brucellosis was higher by a factor of 4.6 in Sukhbaatar and by a factor of 59 in Zavkhan. These figures point to a considerable underreporting of human brucellosis in Mongolia by at least 15 times.

Challenges and Further Research Needs

  • The research pointed to a lack of access to brucellosis diagnostic testing at the village level, preventing rural people from receiving appropriate treatment.
  • The high seroprevalence of human and livestock brucellosis in Mongolia revealed by the study indicates a need for more stringent monitoring and quality control in the management of a nationwide mass vaccination of small and large ruminants.
  • The researchers emphasize the need for more research to understand the complex dynamics of brucellosis transmission across different scales from the farm to provincial level.

Cite This Article

APA
Zolzaya B, Selenge T, Narangarav T, Gantsetseg D, Erdenechimeg D, Zinsstag J, Schelling E. (2014). Representative seroprevalences of human and livestock brucellosis in two Mongolian provinces. Ecohealth, 11(3), 356-371. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-014-0962-7

Publication

EcoHealth
ISSN: 1612-9210
NlmUniqueID: 101222144
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 3
Pages: 356-371

Researcher Affiliations

Zolzaya, Baljinnyam
  • Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box CH 4002, Basel, Switzerland, zola.baljinnyam@yahoo.com.
Selenge, Tsend
    Narangarav, Tsegeen
      Gantsetseg, Dorj
        Erdenechimeg, Dashzevge
          Zinsstag, Jakob
            Schelling, Esther

              MeSH Terms

              • Adolescent
              • Adult
              • Animal Diseases / epidemiology
              • Animals
              • Brucellosis / epidemiology
              • Child
              • Cross-Sectional Studies
              • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
              • Female
              • Food Preferences
              • Humans
              • Incidence
              • Livestock / microbiology
              • Male
              • Middle Aged
              • Mongolia / epidemiology
              • Risk Factors
              • Rose Bengal
              • Seroepidemiologic Studies
              • Sex Distribution
              • Young Adult

              References

              This article includes 26 references
              1. Baba MM, Sarkindared SE, Brisibe F. Serological evidence of brucellosis among predisposed patients with pyrexia of unknown origin in the north eastern Nigeria.. Cent Eur J Public Health 2001 Aug;9(3):158-61.
                pubmed: 11505741
              2. Bennett S, Woods T, Liyanage WM, Smith DL. A simplified general method for cluster-sample surveys of health in developing countries.. World Health Stat Q 1991;44(3):98-106.
                pubmed: 1949887
              3. Bonfoh B, Kasymbekov J, Dürr S, Toktobaev N, Doherr MG, Schueth T, Zinsstag J, Schelling E. Representative seroprevalences of brucellosis in humans and livestock in Kyrgyzstan.. Ecohealth 2012 Jun;9(2):132-8.
                doi: 10.1007/s10393-011-0722-xpmc: PMC3415613pubmed: 22143553google scholar: lookup
              4. Dean AS, Crump L, Greter H, Hattendorf J, Schelling E, Zinsstag J. Clinical manifestations of human brucellosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2012;6(12):e1929.
                doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001929pmc: PMC3516581pubmed: 23236528google scholar: lookup
              5. Dean AS, Crump L, Greter H, Schelling E, Zinsstag J. Global burden of human brucellosis: a systematic review of disease frequency.. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2012;6(10):e1865.
                doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001865pmc: PMC3493380pubmed: 23145195google scholar: lookup
              6. Davgadorj Y, Damdinsuren L, Tserendavga G, Baatarkhuu O, Tsetsegmaa J. Human brucellosis prevalence in Mongolia.. Journal of Mongolian Medicine 2003;1:21–22.
              7. Díaz R, Casanova A, Ariza J, Moriyón I. The Rose Bengal Test in human brucellosis: a neglected test for the diagnosis of a neglected disease.. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2011 Apr 19;5(4):e950.
                doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000950pmc: PMC3079581pubmed: 21526218google scholar: lookup
              8. Ebright JR, Altantsetseg T, Oyungerel R. Emerging infectious diseases in Mongolia.. Emerg Infect Dis 2003 Dec;9(12):1509-15.
                doi: 10.3201/eid0912.020520pmc: PMC3034321pubmed: 14720388google scholar: lookup
              9. Enkhbaatar L, Dondog N, Tsetsegmaa J. Brucelosis.. Ulaanbaatar: Admon; 2004. pp. 45–52.
              10. Rogan WJ, Gladen B. Estimating prevalence from the results of a screening test.. Am J Epidemiol 1978 Jan;107(1):71-6.
                pubmed: 623091doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a112510google scholar: lookup
              11. Jezek Z, Rusinko M, Baldandordj C, Mingir G, Ochirvan S, Hejdová E. Brucellosis serological survey in the Mongolian People's Republic.. J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol 1972;16(4):426-39.
                pubmed: 4674092
              12. Kolar J. Brucella vaccines production in Mongolia.. Report South-East Asia Region, World Health Organization South-East Asia Region Office, p 65–70.
              13. Kolar J. The control of brucellosis in nomadic animal husbandry experience in Mongolia.. Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Goat Production and Disease Tucson, p 435–441.
              14. Kolar J. Diagnosis and control of brucellosis in small ruminants.. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 1984;2:215–225.
                doi: 10.1016/0167-5877(84)90065-5google scholar: lookup
              15. Kolar J. Control of Brucella melitensis brucellosis in developing countries.. Ann Inst Pasteur Microbiol 1987 Jan-Feb;138(1):122-6.
                doi: 10.1016/0769-2609(87)90090-1pubmed: 3300717google scholar: lookup
              16. Madkour AA. Madkour’s Brucellosis.. Berlin: Springer; 2001.
              17. Mainar-Jaime RC, Muñoz PM, de Miguel MJ, Grilló MJ, Marín CM, Moriyón I, Blasco JM. Specificity dependence between serological tests for diagnosing bovine brucellosis in Brucella-free farms showing false positive serological reactions due to Yersinia enterocolitica O:9.. Can Vet J 2005 Oct;46(10):913-6.
                pmc: PMC1255594pubmed: 16454384
              18. Muench H. Catalytic Models in Epidemiology.. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; 1959. p. 110.
              19. OIE. Bovine Brucellosis and Caprine and Ovine Brucellosis: Chapter 2.4.3.-2.7.2 Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines.. World Organization for Animal Health, p 11–12.
              20. Otte MJ, Gumm ID. Intra-cluster correlation coefficients of 20 infections calculated from the results of cluster-sample surveys.. Prev Vet Med 1997 Jul;31(1-2):147-50.
                doi: 10.1016/S0167-5877(96)01108-7pubmed: 9234433google scholar: lookup
              21. Roth F, Zinsstag J, Orkhon D, Chimed-Ochir G, Hutton G, Cosivi O, Carrin G, Otte J. Human health benefits from livestock vaccination for brucellosis: case study.. Bull World Health Organ 2003;81(12):867-76.
                pmc: PMC2572379pubmed: 14997239
              22. Ruiz-Mesa JD, Sánchez-Gonzalez J, Reguera JM, Martín L, Lopez-Palmero S, Colmenero JD. Rose Bengal test: diagnostic yield and use for the rapid diagnosis of human brucellosis in emergency departments in endemic areas.. Clin Microbiol Infect 2005 Mar;11(3):221-5.
                doi: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2004.01063.xpubmed: 15715720google scholar: lookup
              23. Selenge TS, Bujinlkham S, Enkhtuya B, Gombosuren D, Jargal E. Human Brucellosis.. Ulaanbaatar: Admon; 2011. pp. 91–94.
              24. Shabb D, Chitnis N, Baljinnyam Z, Saagii S, Zinsstag J. A mathematical model of the dynamics of Mongolian livestock populations.. Livestock Science 2013;157:280–288.
                doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2013.07.009google scholar: lookup
              25. Zinsstag J, Roth F, Orkhon D, Chimed-Ochir G, Nansalmaa M, Kolar J, Vounatsou P. A model of animal-human brucellosis transmission in Mongolia.. Prev Vet Med 2005 Jun 10;69(1-2):77-95.
                doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2005.01.017pubmed: 15899298google scholar: lookup
              26. Zinsstag J, Schelling E, Solera J, Blasco J, Moriyon I. Brucellosis.. Oxford Textbook of Zoonoses Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2011. pp. 54–62.

              Citations

              This article has been cited 21 times.
              1. Muema J, Oboge H, Mutono N, Makori A, Oyugi J, Bukania Z, Njuguna J, Jost C, Ogoti B, Omulo S, Thumbi SM. Sero - epidemiology of brucellosis in people and their livestock: A linked human - animal cross-sectional study in a pastoralist community in Kenya. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:1031639.
                doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1031639pubmed: 36467641google scholar: lookup
              2. Ta N, Mi J, Li X, Guo W, Yu G, Li G, Pang S, Bai W, Liu Q, Zhao H, Wei G, Fan M, Wen Y. Epidemiological Characteristics and Clinical Manifestations of Brucellosis and Q Fever Among Humans from Northeastern Inner Mongolia. Infect Drug Resist 2022;15:6501-6513.
                doi: 10.2147/IDR.S381370pubmed: 36386408google scholar: lookup
              3. Jamil T, Akar K, Erdenlig S, Murugaiyan J, Sandalakis V, Boukouvala E, Psaroulaki A, Melzer F, Neubauer H, Wareth G. Spatio-Temporal Distribution of Brucellosis in European Terrestrial and Marine Wildlife Species and Its Regional Implications. Microorganisms 2022 Oct 5;10(10).
                doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10101970pubmed: 36296246google scholar: lookup
              4. Lotfi Z, Pourmahdi Borujeni M, Ghorbanpoor M, Ghadrdan Mashhadi AR. Seroprevalence and risk factors of brucellosis in Arabian horses. Vet Med Sci 2022 May;8(3):1056-1064.
                doi: 10.1002/vms3.759pubmed: 35122678google scholar: lookup
              5. Zhai J, Peng R, Wang Y, Lu Y, Yi H, Liu J, Lu J, Chen Z. Factors Associated With Diagnostic Delays in Human Brucellosis in Tongliao City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. Front Public Health 2021;9:648054.
                doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.648054pubmed: 34692615google scholar: lookup
              6. Santos RL, Souza TD, Mol JPS, Eckstein C, Paíxão TA. Canine Brucellosis: An Update. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:594291.
                doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.594291pubmed: 33738302google scholar: lookup
              7. Holt HR, Bedi JS, Kaur P, Mangtani P, Sharma NS, Gill JPS, Singh Y, Kumar R, Kaur M, McGiven J, Guitian J. Epidemiology of brucellosis in cattle and dairy farmers of rural Ludhiana, Punjab. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021 Mar;15(3):e0009102.
                doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009102pubmed: 33735243google scholar: lookup
              8. Mfune RL, Mubanga M, Silwamba I, Sagamiko F, Mudenda S, Daka V, Godfroid J, Hangombe BM, Muma JB. Seroprevalence of Bovine Brucellosis in Selected Districts of Zambia. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021 Feb 3;18(4).
                doi: 10.3390/ijerph18041436pubmed: 33546514google scholar: lookup
              9. Ran X, Chen X, Wang M, Cheng J, Ni H, Zhang XX, Wen X. Brucellosis seroprevalence in ovine and caprine flocks in China during 2000-2018: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Vet Res 2018 Dec 12;14(1):393.
                doi: 10.1186/s12917-018-1715-6pubmed: 30541567google scholar: lookup
              10. Bayasgalan C, Chultemdorj T, Roth F, Zinsstag J, Hattendorf J, Badmaa B, Argamjav B, Schelling E. Risk factors of brucellosis seropositivity in Bactrian camels of Mongolia. BMC Vet Res 2018 Nov 13;14(1):342.
                doi: 10.1186/s12917-018-1664-0pubmed: 30424746google scholar: lookup
              11. Rossetti CA, Arenas-Gamboa AM, Maurizio E. Caprine brucellosis: A historically neglected disease with significant impact on public health. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017 Aug;11(8):e0005692.
                doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005692pubmed: 28817647google scholar: lookup
              12. Tadesse G. Brucellosis Seropositivity in Animals and Humans in Ethiopia: A Meta-analysis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016 Oct;10(10):e0005006.
                doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005006pubmed: 27792776google scholar: lookup
              13. Viana M, Shirima GM, John KS, Fitzpatrick J, Kazwala RR, Buza JJ, Cleaveland S, Haydon DT, Halliday JEB. Integrating serological and genetic data to quantify cross-species transmission: brucellosis as a case study. Parasitology 2016 Jun;143(7):821-834.
                doi: 10.1017/S0031182016000044pubmed: 26935267google scholar: lookup
              14. Akbarian Z, Ziay G, Schauwers W, Noormal B, Saeed I, Qanee AH, Shahab Z, Dennison T, Dohoo I, Jackson R. Brucellosis and Coxiella burnetii Infection in Householders and Their Animals in Secure Villages in Herat Province, Afghanistan: A Cross-Sectional Study. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015;9(10):e0004112.
                doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004112pubmed: 26485520google scholar: lookup
              15. Osoro EM, Munyua P, Omulo S, Ogola E, Ade F, Mbatha P, Mbabu M, Ng'ang'a Z, Kairu S, Maritim M, Thumbi SM, Bitek A, Gaichugi S, Rubin C, Njenga K, Guerra M. Strong Association Between Human and Animal Brucella Seropositivity in a Linked Study in Kenya, 2012-2013. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2015 Aug;93(2):224-231.
                doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.15-0113pubmed: 26101275google scholar: lookup
              16. Tsend S, Baljinnyam Z, Suuri B, Dashbal E, Oidov B, Roth F, Zinstag J, Schelling E, Dambadarjaa D. Seroprevalence survey of brucellosis among rural people in Mongolia. Western Pac Surveill Response J 2014 Oct-Dec;5(4):13-20.
                doi: 10.5365/WPSAR.2014.5.1.002pubmed: 25685600google scholar: lookup
              17. Ambaw YG, Kosi DG, Mengistu S, Kallu SA. Seroprevalence and Associated Factors of Camel and Human Brucellosis in Dire District, Southern Ethiopia: A One-Health Perspective. Vet Med Sci 2026 Mar;12(2):e70835.
                doi: 10.1002/vms3.70835pubmed: 41653100google scholar: lookup
              18. Tsogtbayar O, Munkhbayarlakh B, Dorjsurenkhor N, Gray GC. MAJOR LIVESTOCK-ASSOCIATED ZOONOSES IN MONGOLIA: AN OVERVIEW. Zoonoses 2025;5(1).
                doi: 10.15212/zoonoses-2025-0007pubmed: 41551725google scholar: lookup
              19. Dalantai M, Tserendorj M, Gombosuren U, Vanaabaatar B, Punsantsogvoo M, Badgar B, Zayat B, Batdorj D. Sequencing the whole genome of a Brucella abortus using nanopore technology. Microbiol Resour Announc 2026 Feb 12;15(2):e0036625.
                doi: 10.1128/mra.00366-25pubmed: 41459962google scholar: lookup
              20. Naranchimeg B, Chantsal B, Sandagdorj B, Bolormaa T, Ulzii-Orshikh P, Altanchimeg A, Ganzorig S, Batbaatar V, Horiuchi M, Nyam-Osor P. Detection of Brucella spp. from milk by quantitative PCR as a monitoring method for brucellosis in cattle in Mongolia. BMC Vet Res 2025 Jul 15;21(1):466.
                doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-04918-2pubmed: 40665323google scholar: lookup
              21. Liu Z, Gao L, Wang M, Yuan M, Li Z. Long ignored but making a comeback: a worldwide epidemiological evolution of human brucellosis. Emerg Microbes Infect 2024 Dec;13(1):2290839.
                doi: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2290839pubmed: 38039063google scholar: lookup
              Subscribe to our newsletter
              Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.