Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors in Goats in Derashe Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumoniae is the causative agent of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP), a highly infectious and economically significant disease affecting goats and sheep. CCPP is characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates, leading to substantial financial losses in affected regions. The aim of this study was to estimate seroprevalence and pinpoint risk factors for the occurrence of CCPP in the study area.

A cross-sectional study employing a multistage cluster sampling technique was carried out in the Derashe zone in 2021. In the study area, 426 goats from six villages and three clusters were tested for CCPP serostatus using the Competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (c-ELISA). Goat level CCPP was predicted by a mixed-effect logistic regression model, while flock level CCPP was tested for association with risk factors using Chi-square test.

Serum sample results revealed a 4.7% seroprevalence at the goat level (95% CI: 2.9-7.6), and a 52% prevalence at the flock level (95% CI: 31.3-72.2). The presence of health problems were associated with 4.2 times greater odds of CCPP seropositivity than those without health problems (OR = 4.2; p = 0.000). Goats found in large flock sizes were 5.7 times more likely to suffer a CCPP seropositivity than small flock sized goats owned together (OR = 5.7; p = 0.009).

Given that the Derashe zone serves as a key livestock movement corridor with goats frequently transported to central regions of Ethiopia, and that contagious caprine pleuropneumonia demonstrated a high flock-level prevalence across all study villages and clusters, it is crucial to implement a routine vaccination program to effectively control the disease.