PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH BOVINE BRUCELLOSIS IN DAIRY FARMS IN THE PROVINCE OF AZUAY-ECUADOR

The health of herds that are not within the official Brucellosis control program in the province of Azuay is unknown, and there may be areas with a higher frequency of seropositive herds. This paper aims to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with bovine brucellosis in dairy farms. An epidemiological study was carried out in 436 farms, for which milk samples were taken from producers in collection centers, collecting trucks and herds. A georeferenced survey was used to collect information on the management of the herds. The milk was analyzed by indirect-ELISA, and thirty-seven farms were seropositive, obtaining a prevalence of 8,5%. The percentages of seropositivity were: Cuenca (14.84 %), Giron (23.07 %), Nabon (8.21 %), Ona (11.53 %), San Fernando (33.33 %), Sevilla de Oro (7.14 %), Sigsig (4.16 %). The Rose Bengal and competitive ELISA tests were performed on bovines that contributed to the milk pool in 34 herds, establishing a 100% concordance of indirect ELISA to detect seronegative farms. In the logistic regression analysis, a significant association (P < 0,05) was determined between seropositivity and factors such as: geographic location, extension of the farm, exploitation system, presence of other domestic species, elimination of placental remains, reproduction system, having a higher probability of seropositivity in herds that presented abortions (OR = 2,71), estrus problems (OR = 2,09), birth of weak calves (OR = 3,24) and extensive management (OR = 3,67). These findings constitute serological evidence that Brucella spp. circulates in farms in the area.