Serological and molecular evaluation of brucellosis in farm dogs in Kerman

Introduction and Objectives: Canine brucellosis mainly caused by Brucella canis however B. abortus, B. melitensis and B. suis also cause brucellosis in dogs. Infection of dogs with these organisms usually occurs through contact with or ingestion of infected fetal membranes or aborted fetuses and raw dairy materials. Materials and Methods: In this study, blood samples were gathered from 50 adult dogs that kept in cattle, sheep and horse breeding farms, regardless of their gender and clinical status. PCR, Rose bengal and Wright tests were used to determine the contamination. GeneAll ExgeneTM DNA extraction kit was used and confirming of Brucella genus was accomplished with the specific primer of IS711. Results: Rose bengal test was positive in 28% of samples and 6% showed 1/160 and higher titer in Wright test. Two dogs (4%) showed B. melitensis infection in the PCR test which kept in the sheep farms with the history of abortion in ewes. Clinical findings showed discospondylits and orchiditis in a 6 years old male breed mix dog and the other case was a 6 years old female German shepherd with stillbirth history. Conclusion: This molecular study determined the definite role of dogs in epidemiology of Brucellosis in our country. The possibilities of disease transmission to farm animals and public health hazards must be considered. Dogs in Brucella-infected flocks, proposed to be tested by serological tests annually and the reactors dogs must be depopulated for for better fulfilment of eradication programs.

کلیدواژه ها:

Brucellosis ، Zoonosis ، Dog ، PCR ، Serology