ABSTRACT
The seroprevalence of Brucella spp. and the possible associated risk factors were estimated for 2,109 adult cows in Monte Negro county, State of Rondônia, Brazil. A questionnaire was completed for each farm where cattle were sampled. Laboratory tests were Rose-Bengal Agglutination, Standard Tube agglutination, and Mercaptoethanol. The adjusted overall prevalence of Brucella spp. seropositive cows for Monte Negro county was 15% and at least 54 herds (63%) were positive. A logistic regression analysis suggested that the herd size of more than 25 cows and the presence of pigs were significant factors associated with the seropositivity (herd size: OD = 2.8; P=0.02; presence of pigs: OD = 2.5; P =0.04). Other significant variables associated to the infection, analysed by Chi-Square were the presence of seropositivity cows with the herd that were repeat breeders and birth of weak calves (P < 0.05).
KEY WORDS
Brucella spp.; prevalence; epidemiology; Amazon; Brazil