Prevalence of Brucella spp. in equines of Iran

Abstract

Brucella, which preferentially infects cattle, swine, sheep, and goats, can infect equidae dependent on the intermediate vector. While equine brucellosis has been reported in clinical cases, there are few epidemiological patterns described. In this study, blood samples were obtained by venous puncture and transferred to the laboratory under chilled conditions as quickly as possible. Sera from three horses were positive by Rose Bengal test (RBT) and tube agglutination tests (TAT), resulting in a prevalence rate of 2.5 %. The samples from two stallions showing positive reaction by RBT also showed positive results by TAT (positive reaction (PR) 2.6 %). The stallions testing positive displayed no clinical signs related to brucellosis. One mare had positive reactions in both tests, with no clinical signs (PR 2.3 %). Close contact between animals that are affected by brucellosis such as cattle, sheep, and goat and susceptible hosts constitutes a potential dispersion method for the organism. In some countries, a test and slaughter policy together with vaccination of young females has been adopted with some success. In others, particularly with regard to sheep and goats, mass vaccination has recently been established. The zoonotic aspects of brucellosis from and between equidae must therefore be considered when assessing transmission vectors from the public health standpoint.