The study aimed to assess 58 veterinary laboratory specialists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning brucellosis across all regional (Marz) and central laboratories (Reference Laboratory for Especially Dangerous Pathogens). The survey was developed to assess the knowledge of lab specialists and identify gaps in laboratory activities that may have an impact on test results. Questions covered the following topics: a) disease epidemiology, b) sample conditions, c) biosafety and biosecurity, and d) laboratory tests, requirements, and indicators. According to the results, 45 % of respondents are 51 years old or older, most (26 respondents/45 %) have six to ten years of laboratory experience, and 20 respondents (35 %) have 21 years and more experience. Eleven people (19 %) had not received professional training. At the same time, 90 % and more correct answers were given by respondents who had passed training during the last year. In the last year, a person took training but did not answer 90% of the questions correctly. Most part (86 %) of respondents were not familiar with lab test indicators (sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, etc.) and 46 (79 %) were unaware of screening and confirmation tests requirements. Only 55 % (32 people) knew that one serological test was insufficient to make a final diagnosis, but 24 (75 %) of those respondents could not justify that. This study shows that it is necessary to review the current mechanisms for the preparation of laboratory specialists. This will indirectly impact an accurate assessment of the epidemiological situation of brucellosis in Armenia.

Brucellosis is endemic in Armenia. Test slaughtering is used to fight Brucellosis in large and small ruminants. Cross-contamination among the various types of animals with various types of causative agents may contribute to the permanent existence of the epizootic chain. A study is being conducted to determine whether brucellosis is present among stray dogs in Yerevan (Capital of RA). The Rose Bengal test (RBT), serum agglutination test (SAT), and indirect and competitive ELISA tests were performed on 384 blood samples from stray dogs in Yerevan. The competitive ELISA detects only specific antibodies against B. abortus, B. melitensis, and B. suis and differentiates the Brucella 19 strain. According to the diagnostic algorithm for final diagnosis, positive samples by RBT must be confirmed by two other tests. Out of 384 samples tested by RBT, 17 (4.4 %) were positive. Out of 384 samples, 11 (2.9 %) were positive by SAT, 9 samples (2.3 %) tested positive by indirect ELISA, and 16 samples (4.2 %) tested positive by competitive ELISA. We have shown the presence of Brucella spp. among stray dogs in Yerevan. It is necessary to implement additional studies among dog (particularly shepherd dogs) populations in marzes with a higher prevalence of Brucellosis. These additional results will provide an opportunity to evaluate the role of dogs in ensuring a stable epizootic chain of Brucellosis among agricultural animals. They will contribute to a strategy design for preventing the spread of disease.

Brucellosis is a common bacterial zoonosis caused by Brucella spp., which are facultative intracellular gram-negative cocco-bacilli, causing disease in cattle, small ruminants, and humans. The occurrence of brucellosis is widespread across a wide geographical area as well as endemic throughout the Caucasus region. The Ministry of Agriculture of Armenia has adopted a diagnostic algorithm consisting of screening samples with the Rose Bengal Test (RBT) followed by confirmation with the complement fixation test (CFT). This study determined the feasibility of the algorithm and diagnostics in Armenia. Sampling and testing were conducted in two marzes of Armenia with disparate brucellosis prevalence. The screening was performed in 2020 at regional laboratories, followed by retesting at the reference laboratory with RBT and confirmation by CFT. Results indicated that RBT testing was reproducible between laboratories, although positive rates in CFT testing were slightly higher. Brucellosis incidence in cattle was not geographically dependent, while sheep incidence was affected by location. The addition of CFT to the diagnostic algorithm improves the results.