Brucella canis infection in dogs – A neglected zoonosis

Abstract

Brucellosis is one of the most important zoonotic diseases worldwide that leads to serious economic loss and public health issues. Among infections due to various Brucella species, presently the most neglected zoonoses worldwide is the infection caused by Brucella canis organism. It serves as one of the major causes of reproductive failures and related diseases in canines, and has the potential to infect humans. In addition, infection due to B. canis is a crucial public health concern issue due to increasing interaction of the humans with dogs. In dogs, the disease is manifested with both symptomatic and asymptomatic infections. In humans, it is associated with febrile condition with usually non-specific symptoms. Moreover, lack of proper diagnostic facilities and misconceptions regarding its prevalence, often renders the disease underdiagnosed. The treatment of infection takes into account the relapse frequency of the disease and is employed in only selective cases. At present, no vaccine is available commercially for the prophylaxis of the B. canis infection, so it is the need of the hour to develop improved diagnostic methods as well as vaccines to combat the disease and associated zoonotic risk.