Equine brucellosis in Iran: serological, bacteriological and molecular analysis

AbstractEquine brucellosis significantly impacts the health and functionality of horses, leading to complications such as bursitis infection, septic tenosynovitis, septic arthritis, and non-specific lameness resulting from joint infections. In the present study, we used the Rose Bengal plate agglutination test (RBPT), serum agglutination test (SAT), and the 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) assays to find equine brucellosis. From June 2018 to September 2022, 876 blood samples were randomly taken from apparently healthy racing horses in certain parts of Iran, such as Kerman, Isfahan, Tehran, Qom, and Kurdistan. DNA extraction was carried out directly on all 63 serum samples identified as seropositive through RBPT. An additional 30 seronegative serum samples were also randomly chosen for study. Bacterial culture was also done on milk, blood, and vaginal swabs taken from seropositive horses.The bacteria that were found in the samples were then put through Bruce-ladder PCR. Our results indicated that 63 (7.1%), 21 (2.3%), and 2 (0.2%) of horses were seropositive using RBPT, SAT, and 2-ME, respectively. Also, none of the 30 DNA-extracted serum samples from seronegative horses tested positive forBrucella DNA, while 44.5% (28/63) of the DNA samples from seropositive horses yielded positive results forBrucella DNA. Out of the seropositive samples, 26 had DNA fromBrucella abortus and 2 had DNA fromBrucella melitensis. Also,B. melitensis biovar 1 was found in two milk samples from mares in the ...
Source: Veterinary Research Communications - Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research