Serological prevalence of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia in agro-pastoral areas of Nigeria

Background Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), an infection of cattle caused by the small colony biotype of Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides ( MmmSC ), is a significant constraint to improved pastoral cattle productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. This cross-sectional study was aimed to estimate serological prevalence of CBPP and identify risk factors for herd sero-positivity within agro-pastoral areas of Nigeria. Results The herd level prevalence of CBPP was 54.7 % (95 % confidence interval (CI) = 47.7–62.0), and proportion of animals with detectable MmmSC monoclonal antibody was 30.2 % (95 % CI = 26.3–34.4). Herds were more likely to be sero-positive if they were potentially exposed to recent CBPP outbreaks (odds ratio (OR) = 4.9, 95 % CI = 2.4–10.1) or of larger sizes (OR = 3.0, 95 % CI = 1.2–7.5). Herds vaccinated against the disease had lower odds of being sero-positive (OR = 0.12, 95 % CI = 0.02–0.6) than unvaccinated herds. Conclusions CBPP is endemic to agro-pastoral areas, and it is doubtful if the current control strategies are making real impact in reducing production losses. Although eradication is more likely to be achieved through regional approaches, enhanced vaccination coverage supported with targeted surveillance and a trace back system based on cattle trade and movement records will sustain effective control of the disease in the Nigerian cattle population.