Sero-prevalence of camel brucellosis (Camelus dromedarius) and phenotypic characteristics of Brucella melitensis biovar 3 in Shalateen City, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt

The objective of this study was to estimate the sero-prevalence of brucellosis in camels in Shalateen city, Red sea Governorate. A total of 801 Sera were collected from apparently healthy dromedary camels from 2014 to 2015 spring. Sera were consequently serologically tested and confirmed using Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), buffer acidified plate antigen test (BAPAT) and complement fixation test (CFT). 103 (12.90%), 93 (11.60%), and 92 (11.50%) were positive for RBPT, BABAT and CFT, respectively. Young camels were more sero-positive than old one (13.30 vs.10.80%). In addition, females were more sero-positive than males (19.10 vs. 7.10%). Moreover, Brucella melitensis biovar 3 was isolated from stomach content of aborted camel fetus. Statistically, the apparent prevalence (AP) was estimated to be 11.50%, while true prevalence (TP) was 13.60% (95% CI: 11.20 to 16%; P < 0.05). There was non statistical significant association between different age groups, while a highly significant difference were detected between seasons and genders. This study documented a high prevalence of camel brucellosis in the area of study and there is a need for planning and implementation of joint programs by stakeholders in prevention and control of the disease as well as raising public awareness in decreasing the distribution of the disease.