Brucellosis in migratory sheep flock from Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease worldwide distributed and having the economic as well as public health importance. The prevalence of brucellosis among sheep flock having history of abortions was studied. A total of 229 samples comprising of 157 blood and 72 clinical samples (vaginal swabs) were collected from 157 animals. Clinical samples were processed for the isolation of Brucella melitensis. Serum samples (n = 157) were tested by Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and i-ELISA. A total of 68 (43.31%) and 104 (66.24%) samples were positive by RBPT and ELISA, respectively. Brucella isolates (n = 2) were recovered from clinical samples. Both isolates demonstrated amplification for bcsp 31 and IS711 genes. On AMOS PCR, both the isolates amplified at 731 bp, i.e., belongs to B. melitensis species. The incidence of B. melitensis in a migratory flock warns the thorough testing and culling of Brucella-infected sheep from the flock on a continuous basis; otherwise, such incidence will be routine and poor farmers will be at a loss.

Risk factors for Brucella spp. and Coxiella burnetii infection among small ruminants in Eastern India

“…Standard RBPT favours B. abortus with B. melitensis -infected small ruminants showing negative results [ 43 ]. Therefore, one positive result using RBPT compared to 43 positives using ELISA indicates that the small ruminants sampled are likely to be infected with B. melitensis rather than B. abortus , an important public health finding given that B. melitensis is more pathogenic to humans [ 9 , 12 ].…”

“…No farm reported to have purchased sick or weak animals over the previous 12 Higher numbers of farms in Assam allowed small ruminants to mix with other animal sources of Brucella spp. and C. burnetii: poultry (119 farms in Assam, 9 farms in Odisha), cattle (121 farms in Assam, 50 in Odisha), dogs (117 farms in Assam, 2 in Odisha) cats (109 farms in Assam, 0 in Odisha) and pigs (23 farms in Assam, 0 in Odisha).…”

“…In this study, a twofold approach examined the seroprevalence of Brucella and C. burnetii in small ruminants in the northeastern Indian states of Assam and Odisha. These states were chosen due to the dearth of reports on small ruminant zoonoses [2,12,30]. A farmer knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) questionnaire was used to gain a deeper understanding into farming practices, rearing conditions, and contact between small ruminants and other species, all important risk factors identified for C. burnetii and Brucella infection [2,22].…”

“…Brucellosis is endemic in India [ 7 , 8 ] and sheep and goats are a major source of infection [ 9 , 10 ]. A sharp increase in human brucellosis in recent years has been attributed to Brucella melitensis [ 11 , 12 ], which is the species usually responsible for small ruminant brucellosis [ 13 ]. To date, a limited number of small ruminant studies have been carried out in India to understand brucellosis seroprevalence [ 1 , 14 – 16 ], but other infectious agents have been overlooked [ 17 ].…”

Imaging-Assisted Diagnosis and Characteristics of Suspected Spinal Brucellosis: A Retrospective Study of 72 Cases

“…Over 500 000 people worldwide develop brucellosis annually [ 6 ]. Among animals, cattle, pigs and, especially, sheep are most affected [ 7 – 9 ]. The Chinese “Animal Epidemic Prevention Act” recognizes brucellosis as a Type 2 infectious disease that can cause significant economic loss; strict control and eradication measures are mandated to prevent proliferation [ 10 ].…”