Brucella Canis Research Articles

Pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, treatment and prevention of brucellosis in humans and animals

Brucella genus is Gram-negative coccobacilli that cause a zoonotic disease called brucellosis in humans and animals. 12 species have been identified for Brucella, among which four species, Brucella melitensis, Brucella suis, Brucella abortus, and Brucella canis, commonly cause disease in humans and animals. Brucellosis is transmissible and there are different types of transmission such as animal-to-human (dairy and meat consumption), human-to-human (placenta, breastfeeding, sexual intercourse, blood transfusion, and bone marrow transplantation), and animal-to-animal (aerosol-containing Brucella, placenta and sexual intercourse). Due to having virulence factors such as type IV secretion system (T4SS), superoxide dismutase enzyme, BvrS/BvrR two-component system, LPS with O chain, and cyclic beta-glucan, Brucella can survive and replicate intracellularly and cause disease. Fever, excessive sweating, malaise, myalgia, arthralgia, loss of appetite, weight loss, hepatosplenomegaly, spondylitis, and arthritis are the clinical manifestations of brucellosis in humans. In animals, complications such as abortion, weak calf birth, reduced fertility, endometritis, reduced milk production, orchitis, epididymis, and hygroma may be observed. To diagnose brucellosis, a direct method such as culture or indirect and serological methods such as the Rose Bengal test (RBT), tube standard agglutination test (SAT), 2-mercaptoethanol test, Coombs test, and ELISA are used. According to the condition of the patient, the combination of doxycycline with streptomycin, gentamicin, or rifampin is used to treat brucellosis. While animals with brucellosis are not treated and are slaughtered. No vaccine against brucellosis has been approved for humans yet. But for animals, S19, Rev.1, S2, RB51, and SR82 vaccines are used for prevention. Development and approval of brucellosis vaccine for humans, wider use of animal vaccines, and timely diagnosis of suspected cases will help to better control brucellosis and prevent economic consequences.

Canine brucellosis: A bibliometric analysis based on scopus and web of science databases

Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection that poses a threat to both human and animal health. The aim of this study is to investigate the publication trends in research on canine brucellosis and to determine the changes and general characteristics of the disease throughout history using bibliometric analysis. For this reason, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of 316 articles published in the Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases from 1980 to 2022. The analysis was performed using the RStudio-Bibliometrix package and the Biblioshiny application. The publications included contributions from a total of 1241 authors. In addition, a total of 804 keywords plus and 398 author keywords were identified. The earliest study among the top 10 most cited articles dates back to 1985, while the most recent one was published in 2011. The majority of the publications were published in the years 2012 (n=17) and 2014 (n=17). The United States of America (USA) (n=55), Brazil (n=40), and Argentina (n=25) were identified as the countries with the highest number of published articles. Notably, Switzerland ranked first in terms of the average number of citations per article category (n=55.50), despite only two publications being attributed to this country. Keid L. (n=15), Lucero N. (n=14), Carmichael L. (n=13), and Kim J. (n=13) emerged as the most prolific contributors. Lucero N. obtained the highest number of total citations (TC=408). In the initial years of publication, the disease was predominantly characterized by keywords such as "brucellosis," "infection," "abortus," and "Brucella canis". However, keywords related to diagnosis and treatment, such as "diagnosis," "serodiagnosis," "vaccine," and "agar gel," gained significance and became increasingly relevant. The themes and sub-themes identified through this study can provide a basis for further investigation and scientific inquiry, thus contributing to the development of new research questions and opportunities for future studies.

Evaluation of Three Serological Tests for Diagnosis of Canine Brucellosis.

Canine brucellosis caused by Brucella canis, is an infectious disease affecting dogs and wild Canidae. Clinical diagnosis is challenging, and laboratory testing is crucial for a definitive diagnosis. Various serological methods have been described, but their accuracy is uncertain due to limited validation studies. The present study aimed to evaluate the performances of three serological tests for the diagnosis of B. canis in comparison with bacterial isolation (gold standard), in order to establish a protocol for the serological diagnosis of canine brucellosis. A panel of sera from naturally infected dogs (n = 61), from which B. canis was isolated, and uninfected dogs (n = 143), negative for B. canis isolation, were tested using microplate serum agglutination (mSAT), complement fixation performed using the Brucella ovis antigen (B. ovis-CFT), and a commercial immunofluorescence assay (IFAT). The sensitivity and specificity of the three serological methods were, respectively, the following: 96.7% (95% CI 88.8-98.7%) and 92.3 (95% CI 86.7-95.1%) for mSAT; 96.7% (95% CI 88.8-98.7%) and 96.5 (95% CI 92.1-98.2%) for B. ovis-CFT; 98.4% (95% CI 91.3-99.4%) and 99.3 (95% CI 96.2-99.8%) for IFAT. The use in of the three methods in parallel, combined with bacterial isolation and molecular methods, could improve the diagnosis of the infection in dogs.

Brucella suis biovar 1 infection in a dog with orchitis in Germany.

In 2021, a case of canine brucellosis diagnosed in a dog with orchitis was presented to a veterinary practice in Germany. Serological testing excluded Brucella (B.) canis as a causative agent, but molecular analysis revealed the presence of B. suis biovar 1. Since biovar 1 is not endemic in Europe and the dog had no history of travel to endemic areas, a comprehensive epidemiological investigation was conducted using whole genome sequence data to determine the source of infection. We describe the clinical progress of the animal and the potential infection of a veterinary clinic employee. The findings highlight the importance of considering less common Brucella species as possible causes of canine brucellosis. The data also emphasize that it is quite challenging to identify Brucella species in a routine diagnostic laboratory and to conduct epidemiological investigations to unveil possible transmission routes.

Proteomics and bioinformatics investigations to improve serological diagnosis of canine brucellosis.

Brucella canis is pathogenic for dogs and humans. Serological diagnosis is a cost-effective approach for disease surveillance, but a major drawback of current serological tests is the cross-reactivity with other bacteria that results in false positive reactions. Development of indirect tests with improved sensitivity and specificity that use selected B. canis proteins instead of the whole antigen remain a priority. A western blotting assay was developed to define the serum antibody patterns associated to infection using a panel of positive and negative dog sera. B. canis positive sera recognized immunogenic bands ranging from 7 to 30kDa that were then submitted to ESI-LC-MS/MS and analyzed by bioinformatics tools. A total of 398 B. canis proteins were identified. Bioinformatics tools identified 16 non cytoplasmic immunogenic proteins predicted as non-homologous with the most important Brucella cross-reactive bacteria and nine B. canis proteins non-homologous to B. ovis; among the latter, one resulted non-homologous to B. melitensis. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD042682. The western blotting test developed was able to distinguish between infected and non-infected animals and may serve as a confirmatory test for the serological diagnosis of B. canis. The mass spectrometry and in silico results lead to the identification of specific candidate antigens that pave the way for the development of more accurate indirect diagnostic tests.

Causes of pregnancy arrest in the canine species.

In the canine species, early pregnancy arrest before 30-40 days of pregnancy will induce intra-uterine embryonic or foetal resorption, with very few clinical signs. If no genital examination by ultrasound is performed at that time, it will often remain unnoticed and the bitch will be qualified as infertile. It is only when pregnancy stops at a later stage, mostly after 40 days, that clinical signs will be seen. Expulsion of aborted foetuses or placentas may be observed, although the dam frequently eats the expelled tissues. Intra-uterine mummification may also occur. This article reviews the causes of pregnancy termination in the bitch, both at the embryonic and the foetal stages, reported in the literature. Canine brucellosis is by far the most important disease concerned in this aspect. There is an important current concern about this disease, due to the fact that several outbreaks have been observed recently in Europe, and that it is a very contagious disease; it may be an underestimated zoonosis. Other bacterial causes of pregnancy arrest are sporadic. There is, however, a growing attention towards the microbiological content of raw food diets which are more and more popular among dog breeders and may-if badly prepared-contain abortifacient bacteria such as Campylobacter jejuni or Listeria monocytogenes. The abortifacient role of endogenous vaginal bacteria and mycoplasms remains unclear and may be related to an imbalanced vaginal flora with subsequent ascending bacterial contamination of the uterus. The role of Canine Herpesvirus on abortion is controversial and probably not frequent. Other viruses have been shown experimentally to induce abortion but their natural occurrence in this respect remains unknown. The same applies to the parasite Neospora caninum which is suspected, but not proven, potentially to induce pregnancy arrest in bitches. Among non-infectious causes, uterine pathology such as cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) or sub-clinical post-mating endometritis which can cause infertility and may also induce embryonic resorption. The role of luteal insufficiency in pregnancy arrest is probably overestimated.

Virulent Brucella nosferati infecting Desmodus rotundus has emerging potential due to the broad foraging range of its bat host for humans and wild and domestic animals.

Desmodus rotundus, vampire bats, transmit dangerous infections, and brucellosis is a hazardous zoonotic disease, two adversities that coexist in the subtropical and tropical areas of the American continent. Here, we report a 47.89% Brucella infection prevalence in a colony of vampire bats inhabiting the tropical rainforest of Costa Rica. The bacterium induced placentitis and fetal death in bats. Wide-range phenotypic and genotypic characterization placed the Brucella organisms as a new pathogenic species named Brucella nosferati sp. nov., isolated from bat tissues, including the salivary glands, suggesting feeding behavior might favor transmission to their prey. Overall analyses placed B. nosferati as the etiological agent of a reported canine brucellosis case, demonstrating its potential for infecting other hosts. To assess the putative prey hosts, we analyzed the intestinal contents of 14 infected and 23 non-infected bats by proteomics. A total of 54,508 peptides sorted into 7,203 unique peptides corresponding to 1,521 proteins were identified. Twenty-three wildlife and domestic taxa, including humans, were foraged by B. nosferati-infected D. rotundus, suggesting contact of this bacterium with a broad range of hosts. Our approach is appropriate for detecting, in a single study, the prey preferences of vampire bats in a diverse area, demonstrating its suitability for control strategies where vampire bats thrive. IMPORTANCE The discovery that a high proportion of vampire bats in a tropical area is infected with pathogenic Brucella nosferati and that bats forage on humans and many wild and domestic animals is relevant from the perspective of emerging disease prevention. Indeed, bats harboring B. nosferati in their salivary glands may transmit this pathogenic bacterium to other hosts. This potential is not trivial since, besides the demonstrated pathogenicity, this bacterium possesses all the required virulent arsenal of dangerous Brucella organisms, including those that are zoonotic for humans. Our work has settled the basis for future surveillance actions in brucellosis control programs where these infected bats thrive. Moreover, our strategy to identify the foraging range of bats may be adapted for exploring the feeding habits of diverse animals, including arthropod vectors of infectious diseases, and therefore of interest to a broader audience besides experts on Brucella and bats.

Molecular Investigations of Two First Brucella suis Biovar 2 Infections Cases in French Dogs.

Despite Brucella suis biovar 2's (BSB2) active circulation in wildlife, no canine infections have been reported. The present paper is the first to describe two cases of BSB2 infections in French dogs. The first case occurred in 2020 and concerned a 13-year-old male neutered Border Collie with clinical signs of prostatitis. The urine culture revealed the excretion of significant levels of Brucella in the sample. The second case concerned a German Shepherd with bilateral orchitis, in which it was possible to detect Brucella colonies following neutering. HRM-PCR and classical biotyping methods classified both isolated strains as BSB2, in contrast to expected B. canis, which is usually the etiological agent of canine brucellosis in Europe. The wgSNP and MLVA analyses highlighted the genetic proximity of two isolates to BSB2 strains originating from wildlife. No pig farms were present in the proximity of either dog's residence, ruling out potential spill over from infected pigs. Nevertheless, the dogs used to take walks in the surrounding forests, where contact with wildlife (i.e., wild boars or hares, or their excrements) was possible. These cases highlight the importance of adopting a One Health approach to control the presence of zoonotic bacteria in wild animals and avoid spillovers into domestic animals and, potentially, humans.

Analysis of exotic pathogens found in a large group of imported dogs following an animal welfare investigation.

Increased dog relocation can cause dissemination of pathogen and vector populations, and this is being recognised in countries across Northern Europe, including the UK. Data regarding the prevalence of exotic infections in dogs entering the UK would be beneficial to veterinarians to help assess pets entering the UK from abroad and to help calculate the risk of establishment of novel pathogens. This study reports the findings from a group of imported dogs that was seized as part of a Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)-led animal welfare investigationand subsequently blood tested for exotic pathogens. As part of the RSPCA investigation, 151 dogs were removed from the site. Blood tests were performed for Babesia canis, Ehrlichia canis, Hepatozoon canis and Leishmania infantum by PCR, Brucella canis by antibody serology and Dirofilaria immitis by blood antigen. In addition to pathogen screening, a serology titre for rabies was measured for each dog. A clinical examination was performed by a veterinary surgeon, and clinical signs were recorded. Overall, 24% (32/133) of the dogs tested positive for an infection with one or more exotic pathogens. Two dogs were positive for Br. canis antibodies and had no clinical signs indicative of infection. Leishmania was identified in 10.5% (14/133) of dogs, and all but two of these were implanted with microchips of Romanian origin. H. canis was identified in 9.6% (10/104) of dogs, all of whom had a Romanian microchip. D. immitis was identified in 4.1% (5/121) of dogs, B. canis in 2.3% (3/129) of dogs and E. canis in only 1.5% (2/131) of dogs tested. Only four dogs were found to have co-infections. No significant association was found between the pathogens detected and presenting clinical signs. This was a group of rescued dogs that were tested for a range of pathogens. They were not randomly selected and as such do not represent the true prevalence of these pathogens in dogs imported into the UK. This study demonstrates a range of exotic pathogens entering the UK, including Br. canis, and demonstrates the importance of screening imported dogs. The emphasis on early recognition of exotic pathogens in imported dogs has relied on screening based on relevant clinical signs and the country of origin. While these factors are useful, this study demonstrated no significant association between presenting clinical signs and the pathogens carried.

Canine Brucellosis - French translation

Canine Brucellosis - French translation

Health and welfare of imported dogs in UK veterinary practice.

Veterinary RecordVolume 192, Issue 9 p. 376-377 Pet Importation Health and welfare of imported dogs in UK veterinary practice Gina Pinchbeck, Corresponding Author Gina Pinchbeck professor in veterinary epidemiology [email protected] University of Liverpool, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, CH64 7TESearch for more papers by this authorCarri Westgarth, Carri Westgarth professor in human-animal interaction University of Liverpool, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, CH64 7TESearch for more papers by this authorJenny Stavisky, Jenny Stavisky clinical research manager VetPartners, Spitfire House, Aviator Court, York, YO30 4UZSearch for more papers by this author Gina Pinchbeck, Corresponding Author Gina Pinchbeck professor in veterinary epidemiology [email protected] University of Liverpool, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, CH64 7TESearch for more papers by this authorCarri Westgarth, Carri Westgarth professor in human-animal interaction University of Liverpool, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, CH64 7TESearch for more papers by this authorJenny Stavisky, Jenny Stavisky clinical research manager VetPartners, Spitfire House, Aviator Court, York, YO30 4UZSearch for more papers by this author First published: 05 May 2023 https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.3025Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL No abstract is available for this article. References 1 BVA. Illegally imported pets? Guidance and compliance flowchart for vets in England and Wales. https://bit.ly/3HmVd7h (accessed 28 April 2023) 2 APHA. Canine Brucellosis: summary information sheet. https://bit.ly/3Hi8LkD (accessed 28 April 2023) 3 APHA. Imported disease summaries for Dogs and Cats. https://bit.ly/41ZxZfo (accessed 28 April 2023) Volume192, Issue96/13 May 2023Pages 376-377 ReferencesRelatedInformation

Gene expression of Toll-like receptors, cytokines and a nuclear factor and cytokine secretion in DH82 canine macrophage cells infected with Brucella canis

Canine brucellosis caused by Brucella canis infection occurs mainly in dogs, and is a zoonotic disease that also has the possibility of infection in humans. Many studies have been conducted to understand the immunopathological mechanism of B. canis infection. However, the precise immune mechanism remains to be elucidated because compared to other Brucella spp., B. canis has different immune evasion mechanisms. In this study, gene expression levels of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and TLR-associated molecules and cytokine production were analyzed to figure out the roles of immune-related host factors in B. canis infection. Time-dependent gene expression of TLRs (1−10) and TLR-related molecules (TNF-α, IL-5, IL-23, CCL4, CD40 and NFκ-B) and release of Th1, Th2 and Th17-related cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-17A) were investigated in DH82 canine macrophages infected with B. canis. Time-dependent induction of TLRs 3, 7 and 8 was observed, and TLR 7 had the highest expression level (p <0.05). The expression levels of all TLR-related genes were significantly increased after infection. In particular, the expression of the CCL4 and IL-23 genes was highly induced. The amounts of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 were significantly increased by B. canis infection, but the amounts of IL-4 and IL-17A were not. The production of IL-1β and IL-6 was the highest at 24 hr after B. canis infection (p <0.05). This study demonstrates that TLRs 3, 7 and 8 are prominent sites of to immune response induction with the production of related cytokines and a nuclear factor in DH82 cells infected with B. canis. These results suggest a sequential immune mechanism of B. canis infection, involving TLRs, cytokines and their associated factors.

Higher diversity of Brucella canis in Latin America, according to an MLVA_13 Bc analysis

Brucella canis is the main causative agent of canine brucellosis, which affects domestic and wild canids and leads to clinical signs and symptoms of the reproductive and locomotor systems. Owing to the scarce information on this pathogen, here we addressed the genetic diversity of the circulating strains of this species in Argentina by following an MVLA_13 Bc scheme. The analyzed sample set consisted of 101 strains of B. canis isolates collected between 2006 and 2020 from canines of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CABA) and other regions of Argentina, as well as 235 isolates from North America. The analysis yielded 336 variants (Hunter–Gaston Diversity Index, HGDI equal to 1.0) showing high diversity on a global scale. The analysis of the six most variable markers also reveled high diversity and allowed further analysis regarding variant relationships. Although the diversity obtained using both schemes (all or the 6 most variable markers) was higher for the Latin American than for the North American strains, we cannot discard that this was due to biases in the sampling methodology or to the different health policies employed in these regions regarding the management of infected individuals. Altogether, the Argentine circulating strains are genetically diverse, but with no apparent geographical association. The markers used in the MLVA_13 Bc are variable and highly useful for the evaluation of outbreaks. Furthermore, the reduced panel of 6 markers (MLVA_6 Bc) proposed in this study is convenient for the study of B. canis strain diversity.

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A one-health review on brucellosis in the United States.

Brucellosis is a highly infectious zoonotic disease of global significance due to its adverse impact on public health, economics, and trade. Despite being one of the most prevalent zoonoses worldwide, attention given to global brucellosis control and prevention has been inadequate. Brucella species of greatest one-health relevance in the US include those infecting dogs (Brucella canis), swine (Brucella suis), and cattle and domestic bison (Brucella abortus). Although not endemic in the US, Brucella melitensis warrants awareness as it poses a risk to international travelers. While brucellosis has been eradicated from domestic livestock in the US, its detection in US companion animals (B canis) and US wildlife reservoirs (B suis and B abortus) and enzootic presence internationally pose a threat to human and animal health, warranting its spotlight on the one-health stage. The challenges of B canis diagnosis in humans and dogs is addressed in more detail in the companion Currents in One Health by Guarino et al, AJVR, April 2023. Human consumption of unpasteurized dairy products and occupational exposure of laboratory diagnosticians, veterinarians, and animal care providers are responsible for human exposures reported to the US CDC. Diagnosis and treatment of brucellosis is challenging due to the limitations of diagnostic assays and the tendency of Brucella spp to produce nonspecific, insidious clinical signs and evade antimicrobial therapy, making prevention essential. This review will focus on zoonotic considerations for Brucella spp found within the US along with their epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, treatment, and control strategies.

Antibody response over time correlated with treatment outcome in 30 dogs naturally infected with Brucella canis (2017-2022).

Brucella canis is a zoonotic bacterial pathogen of dogs that is notoriously difficult to diagnose and treat. Humans can become infected with B canis when an infected pet dog is brought into their home. Our objectives were to describe the clinical presentation and outcomes in dogs treated for B canis and evaluate the performance of the quantitative serologic canine Brucella multiplex (CBM) assay for monitoring treatment response. Diagnostic records from the Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell University were retrospectively reviewed (2017-2022) for dogs that underwent repeat B canis serologic testing. Medical records were requested to compare the clinical presentations and outcomes for dogs that underwent treatment for B canis. Changes in CBM antibody values were compared between dogs with and without resolution of clinical signs. While treatment protocols varied in the 30 treated dogs meeting the inclusion criteria, poly-antimicrobial therapy was prescribed in 97% (29/30) of cases. Gait abnormalities, spinal pain, and discospondylitis were the most common clinical abnormalities. A difference (P value = .0075) in the percent decrease in CBM assay PO1 antibody values was found in dogs with resolved clinical signs. Young dogs presenting with recurring lameness or back pain should be screened for B canis infection. A 40% decline in CBM assay values 2 to 6 months posttreatment can be supportive of response to treatment. Further prospective studies are needed to determine the ideal B canis treatment regimen and the magnitude of public health risks associated with maintaining neutered B canis-infected animals as pets.

Review on important diseases of Dogs: At glance

Dogs are one of the most accepted pet animals in every household. Increasing urbanization and modernization of human life has created a space where people are living in nuclear family or alone. This has created peoples’ perception and acceptance of having pet for companionship. Human- dog interaction and close livelihood confinement emerge as crucial threat of outbreaks of zoonotic disease even a dog’s diseases. To prevent and control diseases of dogs, it requires proper knowledge of vaccination, education of pet health management and pets’ diseases. Therefore, the current review is on describing dog diseases like, Rabies, Canine Parvoviral gastroenteritis, Canine Distemper, Canine Coronaviral infection, Canine Rotavirus infection, Canine Herpesvirus infection, Canine Leptospirosis, Canine Brucellosis, Transmissible venereal tumors (TVT), Kennel cough, Pyoderma at glance which provides concise information regarding the causative agents and other relevant details.

First seroprevalence and molecular identification report of Brucella canis among dogs in Greater Cairo region and Damietta Governorate of Egypt.

Given the rise in stray and imported dogs in Egypt over the past 5 years, it is surprising that no report of Brucella canis infection in dogs or humans has been documented in Egypt's published papers. This study aimed to detect the presence of antibodies against the rough (B. canis) and smooth Brucellae among dogs in Egypt and to characterize the Brucella species circulating in dogs. Blood samples (n = 449) were collected from owned and stray dogs in the Greater Cairo region (n = 309) and Damietta governorate (n = 140). The apparent, true, and total seroprevalence of canine brucellosis caused by B. canis infection were calculated using the 2-mercaptoethanol tube agglutination test (2-ME TAT) and rapid slide agglutination test (RSAT). We used the rose Bengal test (RBT) and the buffered acidified plate antigen test (BAPAT) to check the serum samples from dogs for the presence of antibodies against smooth Brucellae. Three polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays - Bruce-ladder PCR, B. canis species-specific PCR (BcSS-PCR), and Abortus Melitensis Ovis Suis (AMOS)-PCR - were used to determine the Brucella species in the buffy coats of the serologically positive dogs. The overall apparent and true prevalence of B. canis infection in dogs were estimated to be 3.8% and 13.2%. The estimated true prevalence in stray dogs (15%) was higher than in owned dogs (12.5%). The BAPAT and the RBT using smooth antigens revealed that 11 (2.4%) and 9 (2%) were positive. Bruce-ladder PCR targeting eryC, ABC, and Polysaccharide deacetylase genes was able to identify B. canis in nine out of 17 buffy coat samples. AMOS-PCR identified the eight undetermined Brucella species by Bruce-ladder PCR as Brucella abortus (n = 4) and Brucella melitensis (n = 4). To exclude the presence of Brucella suis, a one-step species-specific BcSS-PCR was performed and specifically amplified all B. canis DNA (n = 9) the same as did the Bruce-ladder PCR. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of B. canis detection in dogs in Egypt. Molecular identification of B. abortus and B. melitensis in the Egyptian canines highlights the role of stray dogs in brucellosis remerging in Brucellosis-free dairy farms. Brucella canis infection can be diagnosed specifically with the one-step BcSS-PCR. The obtained results set-an-alarm to the veterinary authorities to launch plans to control this disease in dogs.

An interesting case of pyrexia of unknown origin

Pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) is defined as fever≥101°F on at least two occasions, illness duration of ≥3 weeks. Brucellosis is a bacterial infection caused by brucella species that includes Brucella canis, Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis, and Brucella suis. They are gram-negative coccobacilli. They are non-motile, non-spore-forming, and facultative intracellular organisms. Kikuchi disease is a benign self-limiting disease, also referred to as histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis. Kikuchi disease mainly affects young women and usually presents as fever, lymphadenopathy and leucopenia. The manifestations are similar to brucellosis. Both coexist in a patient, which can be challenging for the treating physician. Here, we presented a case of brucellosis with coexisting Kikuchi disease.

CURRENT STATUS OF CANINE BRUCELLOSIS IN INDIA

Canine brucellosis is a bacterial disease caused by Brucella canis which is the most common cause of reproductivefailure in dogs. Incidence of the disease is higher in stray dogs than in pets. Though brucellosis was reported to haveexisted in India since 1879, the methodical study was taken up as late as 1943, in animals and man in Madraspresidency. However, contagious abortion in livestock associated with brucellosis was first investigated in India by theImperial Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteshwar in 1918. Since then the disease has been reported almosteverywhere in India. Data on the prevalence of canine brucellosis in India is scarce or rather unreported, and thepublic health significance is not much known. Routine sero-surveillance of canines should also be done so thatproper control measures can be taken.