Molecular detection of Brucella spp. in clinical samples of seropositive ruminants in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 2022 Jul:86:101821. doi: 10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101821. Epub 2022 May 11.

Abstract

Brucellosis is one of the most common zoonotic diseases worldwide that is endemic to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) and remains an emerging public and animal health concern in this country. Diagnostic testing of brucellosis in ruminants in B&H relies exclusively on serological methods. The present study was conducted to determine the presence of Brucella spp. in clinical samples of seropositive ruminants by Real-time PCR assay. Of the 135 samples tested, 37% were positive by Real-time PCR. The frequency of detection of Brucella-DNA in the samples collected from aborted animals (n = 20/20; 100%) was significantly higher (P < 0.00001) when compared to asymptomatic animals (n = 30/115; 26%). Among asymptomatic animals, 31.1% of cattle were positive for Brucella-DNA, followed by sheep (23.4%) and goats (16.6%). The results of this research underline the limitations of the current control policy and indicate the need for additional diagnostic methods required for more effective brucellosis control program.

Keywords: Brucellosis; Cattle; Goats; Real-time PCR; Serology; Sheep.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina / epidemiology
  • Brucella* / genetics
  • Brucellosis* / diagnosis
  • Brucellosis* / epidemiology
  • Brucellosis* / veterinary
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Cattle Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Goat Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Goat Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Goats
  • Ruminants
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Sheep
  • Sheep Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Sheep Diseases* / epidemiology