Serological, bacteriological and molecular study of aborted cows, buffalos and women infected with Brucella

Abstract

Abortion is the most obvious manifestation of Brucella infection. In this study, 59 aborted buffalos, 91 aborted cows and 150 aborted women were studied. Diagnosis of Brucella infection in these abortions was based on clinical, serological and bacteriological studies, then determination of Brucella isolates with PCR assay. Serological studies included the use of RB and ELISA tests as screening tests for infection. Results showed that in bovine the RB test shows significant difference between the positive cases in cows and buffalos (P<0.05) while in ELISA test there is no significant difference between these two groups. In aborted women there was significant difference in the RB and ELISA tests between the negative and positive women (P<0.05).From all positive cases by ELISA test, Brucella was isolated from 7 aborted cows, 3 buffalos, and 2 women. Brucella isolates were revealed amplification of a 223-bp fragment with B4 and B5 primers except one strain that isolated from blood culture of women