Ghebremariam, Michael K.Michel, Anita LuiseVernooij, J.C.M.Nielen, M.Rutten, Victor P.M.G.2019-05-102019-05-102018-03-07Ghebremariam, M.K., Michel, A.L., Vernooij, J.C.M. et al. 2018, 'Prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in cattle, goats, and camels of traditional livestock raising communities in Eritrea', BMC Veterinary Research, vol. 14, art. 73, pp. 1-13.1746-6148 (online)10.1186/s12917-018-1397-0http://hdl.handle.net/2263/69089Additional file 1: Regions, sub-regions and villages included in the study, and species, breed, sex and age of each animal tested using the SICTT during the study periodsAdditional file 2: Questionnaire for BTB risk factors study within the cattle raising communities in the extensive livestock husbandry system in Eritrea.Additional file 3: Questionnaire for BTB risk factors study within the goat raising communities in the extensive livestock husbandry system in Eritrea.Additional file 4: Questionnaire for BTB risk factors study within the camel raising communities in the extensive livestock husbandry system in Eritrea.Additional file 5: Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative studies (COREQ): 32-item checklist and answers.Additional file 6: Number (and herd) of skin tested cattle, goats and camels, and number (herd) of reactors at region, sub-region and study areas levels using the standard (> 4 mm cut-off) method in the selected study areas within the traditional livestock husbandry system in Eritrea presented for comparison. ‘0’ = zero animals tested from zero herds. NA = not applicable.Additional file 7: BTB prevalence in cattle, goats and camels at individual animal and herd levels within the traditional livestock husbandry system in Eritrea using the standard and severe cut-offs (> 4 mm and > 2 mm) presented for comparison. NA = not applicable.BACKGROUND : The aim of the current study was to assess the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) in cattle, goats, and camels, and its zoonotic potential within the traditional livestock raising communities in four regions of Eritrea. The Single Intradermal Comparative Tuberculin Test (SICTT) as indicator of M. bovis infection was conducted on 1077 cattle, 876 goats, and 195 camels. To elucidate possible risk factors for BTB transmission between animals and its potential zoonotic implication, questionnaire based face-to-face interviews were conducted in households of which 232 raised cattle, 128 goats, and 29 camels. RESULTS : The results of the SCITT were interpreted using the OIE standard (> 4 mm cut-off) for positive responses. In cattle, individual animal (n = 1077) and herd (n = 413) prevalences were 1.2% (n = 13) [Confidence Interval (CI) 95% CI, 1.0–1.3%] and 3.2% (n = 13) (95% CI, 3.0–3.4%), respectively. In goats (n = 876), none of the animals was positive. In camels, individual animal (n = 195) and herd (n = 70), BTB prevalences were 1.5% (n = 3) (95% CI,1.4–1.6%) and 2.9(n = 2) (95% CI, 0.9–4.6%), respectively. Overall, male animals were more at risk (OR = 2.6; 95% CI:1.0–8.7) when compared to females. Sharing of water points, introduction of new animals into herds and migration of animals over large distances were common events that may contribute to intra and inter-species transmission of BTB. Consumption of raw milk, lack of BTB transmission awareness, and low levels of education were common in the farming communities. CONCLUSION : The current study highlighted a low prevalence of M. bovis in cattle, goats and camels in extensive traditional livestock in Eritrea. Despite this, the spatial distribution of affected animals across most of the sampled regions and consumption of unpasteurized milk warrants surveillance, cautious and timely control measures for the disease.en© The Author(s). 2018 Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.EritreaMixed crop-livestock systemPastoral systemSingle intradermal comparative tuberculin test (SICTT)Bovine tuberculosis (bTB)Camels (Camelus dromedarius)Goats (Capra hircus)Veterinary science articles SDG-01Veterinary science articles SDG-02Veterinary science articles SDG-03SDG-03: Good health and well-beingSDG-01: No povertySDG-02: Zero hungerArticle