[Canine brucellosiss: Seroprevalence and risk factors in pets from eleven neighbourhoods in Medellin, Colombia].

OBJECTIVE

Determining Brucella canis prevalence in domestic dogs (pets) from 11 districts in Medellín. A survey of risk factors was also carried out.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Immunoassay was used for analysing 441 dog serum samples and several risk factors regarding their owners and some related to the immediate environment were established.

RESULTS

Brucellosis prevalence was 2.76 % (1.11-4.42 95 %CI), being highest in the Buenos Aires (6.9 %) and Villa Hermosa districts (5.7%). Seroprevalence was higher in male dogs (4.6 %),mongrels (4.8 %),dogs less than one year old (3.7 %), in homes having nearby water sources (4.5 %) and in dogs living with their owners for more than five months (3.1 %).The dogs' breed was associated with antibody presence (p<0.05). Seroprevalence became increased to 7.5 % when the home was shared with other pets. Higher prevalence was found when the dogs lived in homes without drinking water (6.7 %) and homes lacking a fixed water supply or sewerage connection (7.7 %). No association was found for any of the aforementioned variables with the presence of antibodies.

CONCLUSION

Apart from cases involving occupational risk, the risk of Brucella canis transmission to humans in domestic settings may increase if the aforementioned risk factors continue increasing in urban areas, such as those explored in this study.