Epidemiology and risk factors of brucellosis in huntig dogs from mid-north region of Mato Grosso state

Abstract

Brucellosis is a disease that affects various species, including humans. Caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella, from the Brucellaceae family, this disease has a high incidence, although its mortality rate is relatively low. However, it represents a significant public health concern. Dogs living in rural areas play an important role in the epidemiology of Brucella abortus, acting as secondary reservoirs or mechanical vectors of infection. Although brucellosis in dogs is less common than in ruminants, its presence can hinder disease control, especially in rural properties where biological waste management is inadequate. This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-Brucella abortus antibodies in dogs used for exotic fauna control and residing in rural areas of the mid-northern region of Mato Grosso. The research was conducted at the Animal Health Laboratory of the Federal University of Mato Grosso – Sinop Campus. Blood samples from the dogs were collected and subjected to the Buffered Acidified Antigen Test (BAAT), an indirect diagnostic method for brucellosis used to detect the presence of antibodies. The analysis of risk factors considered variables such as sex, age of the animals, and municipality of residence. This observational, cross-sectional study used the Chi-square test to assess the association between these factors and positivity in the BAAT. Of the 142 dogs tested, 59 (41.55%) showed a reactive result to the test. The presence of positive animals was identified only in the municipalities of Sinop, Marcelândia, and Ipiranga do Norte, with 42 (29.57%), 7 (4.93%), and 10 (7%) cases, respectively. The high seropositivity rate among dogs is a concerning finding, as these animals often have close contact with their owners, increasing the risk of disease transmission to humans. These results highlight the need for effective preventive measures, including population control, proper biological waste management, and continuous health monitoring.

Keywords: Brucella spp; Serodiagnosis; Prevalence.