Published in PLOS One on 2026-03-06, this study is presented as an attributed evidence briefing. The excerpts below are the original researchers’ words, reproduced under their Creative Commons Attribution licence. Health Signal has selected the abstract and, where needed, opening background paragraphs; the complete methods, results, limitations and references remain in the linked paper.
Original authors: Themba Titus Sigudu, James Wabwire Oguttu, Mabel Aworh
Source: PLOS One • DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0344037
Read the complete primary study ↗ · Creative Commons Attribution licence
From the researchers
Abstract
Bovine brucellosis, caused primarily by Brucella abortus, remains a major constraint to livestock productivity and a persistent zoonotic threat. Although brucellosis is a controlled disease in South Africa, detailed subnational epidemiological evidence is limited, particularly for Mpumalanga Province. Understanding temporal, seasonal, and spatial patterns is essential for improving risk-based surveillance and control.
A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted using routine diagnostic records from the Mpumalanga Provincial Veterinary Laboratory between January 2021 and December 2024. Rose Bengal Test (RBT) results from cattle originating from 17 Local Municipality Areas (LMAs) were analysed. Annual, seasonal, and spatial seroprevalence estimates were calculated, and independent predictors of RBT seropositivity were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression.
A total of 67,974 cattle serum samples were tested, of which 6,182 were RBT-positive, yielding an overall seroprevalence of 9.1% (95% CI: 8.9–9.3). Annual seroprevalence increased from 6.9% in 2021 to 7.4% in 2022, peaked at 13.1% in 2023, and declined to 7.5% in 2024. Clear seasonal variation was observed, with higher seroprevalence in spring (10.6%) and summer (10.2%) compared with autumn (6.8%) and winter (6.9%). Pronounced spatial heterogeneity was evident, with Emalahleni (13.3%), Victor Khanye (13.0%), and Mbombela (12.0%) identified as high-burden municipalities, while Mkhondo (1.7%) and Albert Luthuli (2.7%) recorded the lowest prevalence. In adjusted analyses, testing in 2023 was associated with nearly double the odds of seropositivity compared with 2021 (AOR 1.95; 95% CI: 1.81–2.11), and spring and summer remained significant predictors.
Bovine brucellosis in Mpumalanga exhibits marked temporal variability, seasonal peaks, and spatial clustering. These findings support targeted, risk-based surveillance, strategically timed vaccination, and strengthened biosecurity, prioritising hotspot municipalities and high-risk seasons within a One Health framework.
Introduction
Bovine brucellosis, primarily caused by Brucella abortus, is one of the most important zoonotic diseases worldwide, with significant implications for livestock productivity, animal health, and human well-being [1,2]. In cattle, the infection manifests predominantly through reproductive losses, including abortion, retained placenta, and infertility, which collectively result in substantial economic losses for farmers, particularly in resource-limited production systems [2–4]. In humans, the disease can cause undulant fever, arthritis, and chronic complications, highlighting its zoonotic significance and reinforcing the need for integrated control under the One Health framework [2,5,6].
In South Africa, bovine brucellosis is a controlled disease under the Animal Diseases Act (Act No. 35 of 1984) [7], with interventions focused on statutory surveillance, farmer education, vaccination, testing, and culling [8–10]. Historically, surveillance has relied heavily on serological assays, particularly the Rose Bengal Test (RBT) as a screening tool and the Complement Fixation Test (CFT) as a confirmatory assay [11]. These conventional methods remain widely used because of their practicality and affordability within provincial veterinary laboratory systems (MPVL) [12]. However, limitations in sensitivity and specificity have been noted, particularly in chronically infected or vaccinated animals [13]. Recent advances in diagnostics, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), fluorescence polarization assays, and molecular techniques such as PCR, offer improved sensitivity, specificity, and standardisation, and are increasingly advocated for integration into surveillance programmes [14,15]
Reading this evidence
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© 2026 Themba Titus Sigudu, James Wabwire Oguttu, Mabel Aworh. Excerpts reproduced under CC BY. Selection, formatting and contextual notes by Health Signal. The researchers are the authors of the source study, not members of Health Signal’s staff.
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