Ntivuguruzwa, Jean BoscoKolo, Francis BabamanMwikarago, Emil IvanVan Heerden, Henriette2023-10-092023-10-092022-11-22Ntivuguruzwa, J.B., Kolo, F.B., Mwikarago, E.I. & Van Heerden, H. (2022) Seroprevalence of brucellosis and molecular characterization of Brucella spp. from slaughtered cattle in Rwanda. PLoS ONE 17(11): e0261595. https://DOI.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0261595.1932-6203 (online)10.1371/journal.pone.0261595http://hdl.handle.net/2263/92785DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : All relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files.SUPPORTING INFORMATION : DATA S1. Raw data in excel format and original gel images.Bovine brucellosis is endemic in Rwanda, although, there is a paucity of documented evidence about the disease in slaughtered cattle. A cross-sectional study was conducted in slaughtered cattle (n = 300) to determine the seroprevalence of anti-Brucella antibodies using the Rose Bengal Test (RBT), and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (i-ELISA). Corresponding tissues were cultured onto a modified Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria (CITA) selective medium and analysed for Brucella spp. using the 16S-23S ribosomal interspacer region (ITS), AMOS, and Bruce-ladder PCR assays. The seroprevalence was 20.7% (62/300) with RBT, 2.9% (8/300) with i-ELISA, and 2.9% (8/300) using both tests in series. Brucella-specific 16S-23S ribosomal DNA interspace region (ITS) PCR detected Brucella DNA in 5.6% (17/300; Brucella culture prevalence). AMOS-PCR assay identified mixed B. abortus and B. melitensis (n = 3), B. abortus (n = 3) and B. melitensis (n = 5) while Bruce-ladder PCR also identified B. abortus (n = 5) and B. melitensis (n = 6). The gold standard culture method combined with PCR confirmation identified 5.6% Brucella cultures and this culture prevalence is higher than the more sensitive seroprevalence of 2.9%. This emphasizes the need to validate the serological tests in Rwanda. The mixed infection caused by B. abortus and B. melitensis in slaughtered cattle indicates cross-infection and poses a risk of exposure potential to abattoir workers. It is essential to urgently strengthen a coordinated national bovine brucellosis vaccination and initiate a test-and-slaughter program that is not presently applicable in Rwanda.en© 2022 Ntivuguruzwa et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.Bovine brucellosisEndemicCattleRwandaSlaughtered cattleIndirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (i- ELISA)Rose Bengal test (RBT)Article