Brucellosis

Brucella melitensis, a bacterial pathogen and agent of epizootic abortion causes multiple pathologies in humans as well as a number of agriculturally important animal species. Clinical human brucellosis manifests as a non-specific, chronic debilitating disease characterized by undulant fever, arthropathies, cardiomyopathies and neurological sequelae. These symptoms can occur acutely for a few weeks or persist for months to years. Within the brain, endothelial and glial cells can be infected leading to downstream activation events including matrix metalloprotease (MMP) and cytokine secretion and Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling. These events are likely to lead to tissue remodeling, including morphologic changes in neuronal and glial cells, which are linked to neurological complications including depressive behavior, immune activation and memory loss. Our hypothesis was that B. melitensis infection and neurobrucellosis would lead to activation of astrocytes through upregulation of T...

As part of conservation efforts between 1997 and 2001, more than 25% (332 animals) of the endangered Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) population was sampled in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Serum samples were tested for antibodies to viruses, bacteria, and parasites known to cause morbidity and mortality in other marine mammal species. Antibodies were found to phocine herpesvirus-1 by using

We surveyed 13 carcasses of marine mammals (12 Trichechus manatus and one Stenella clymene) that had stranded in northeastern Brazil during 1990-2013 for infectious diseases by screening tissues from the collection of the Brazilian National Center of Research and Conservation of Aquatic Mammal, Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation. Brucella spp. and Mycobacterium spp. were investigated by culturing and PCR of tissue samples, whereas Sarcocystidae parasites, Leptospira spp., and Morbillivirus were surveyed for using specific PCR assays. Brucella spp. and Mycobacterium spp. were not isolated through microbiologic culturing, and all animals were negative for detection of Sarcocystidae parasites, Leptospira spp., Mycobacterium spp., and Morbillivirus by PCR assays. All manatees were negative for Brucella spp. infection, but Brucella ceti was detected in the brain tissue of an S. clymene calf by using a PCR assay.

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution that mainly affects persons working with domestic animals and animal products. Despite being controlled in many developed countries, the disease remains endemic in many parts of the world, including Latin America, the Middle East, Spain, parts of Africa, and western Asia. The disease is mainly transmitted to humans through the ingestion of raw milk or non-pasteurized cheese contaminated with one of the four Brucella species pathogenic to humans. The clinical presentation can vary from asymptomatic infection with seroconversion to a full-blown clinical picture of fever, night sweats and joint manifestations; rarely, there is hepatic, cardiac, ocular or central nervous system involvement. Since travelers may be affected, travel health physicians need to know the clinical presentation of patients with brucellosis and preventive strategies.

This review of Brucella-host interactions and immunobiology discusses recent discoveries as the basis for pathogenesis-informed rationales to prevent or treat brucellosis. Brucella spp., as animal pathogens, cause human brucellosis, a zoonosis that results in worldwide economic losses, human morbidity, and poverty. Although Brucella spp. infect humans as an incidental host, 500,000 new human infections occur annually, and no patient-friendly treatments or approved human vaccines are reported. Brucellae display strong tissue tropism for lymphoreticular and reproductive systems with an intracellular lifestyle that limits exposure to innate and adaptive immune responses, sequesters the organism from the effects of antibiotics, and drives clinical disease manifestations and pathology. Stealthy brucellae exploit strategies to establish infection, including i) evasion of intracellular destruction by restricting fusion of type IV secretion system-dependent Brucella-containing vacuoles with...

Brucellosis is a zoonosis of worldwide distribution, relatively frequent in Mediterranean countries and in the Middle East. It is a systemic infection, caused by facultative intra-cellular bacteria of the genus Brucella, that can involve many organs and tissues. The spine is the most common site of musculoskeletal involvement, followed by the sacroiliac joints. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical, biological and imaging features of spinal brucellosis.

Brucella is intracellular bacteria that cause brucellosis, a chronic zoonotic disease. The genus of Brucella are subdivided into six species categorized by antigenic variation and primary preferred host and these include B. abortus, B. melitensis, B. suis, B. ovis, B. canis and B. neotomae. The epidemiologies of the disease in livestock and humans, as well as appropriate preventive measures, are not well understood in developing countries. Materials excreted from the female genital tract acting as the main supply of organisms for transmission to other animals and human. Millions of individuals are at risk worldwide, especially in countries where infection in animals has not been brought under control, procedures for the heat treatment of milk, such as pasteurization are not routinely applied, and standards of hygiene in animal husbandry are low. A precise diagnosis of brucellosis is important for the control of the disease in animals and consequently in human. Molecular and serological techniques are important tools for diagnosis and epidemiologic studies, providing relevant information for identification of species and biotyping. The economic and public health impact of bucellosis remains particular concern and neglected in developing countries. The disease mainly hampers the productivity of small ruminant’s resulting infertility and increase the average inter-calving periods. One of the major gaps in our knowledge at present is the relative contribution of brucellosis on small ruminant and humans. In Ethiopia, no strategy is in place to control brucellosis. The most important approach to the control and prevent human of brucellosis in human and animal is the practice of one health approach. So knowing the status of small ruminant brucellosis in our country is therefore extremely important. Therefore, the aims of this review are; a) To highlight (snapshot) of brucellosis in the small ruminant; b) To show the seroprevalence status of small ruminant brucellosis in Ethiopia perspective; c)To highlight possible risk factor and its economic importance.

NON-PRESCRIPTION DEMENTIA MEDICINE DISCOVERY: The "golden touch" of Midas as far as medicine is concerned is to find a medicine from well-known drugs with little side effects which is also a non-description drug. More so, as this is more than just a faint promise of hope and the article is among those that may well become seminal papers in medical history due to vascular dementia, brain circulatory illnesses like haemorrhage and strokes affecting millions of people.

Universally Multivalent Coronavirus Vaccine (at Phase 1). Immune imprinting to the first exposure to a SARS-CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus shapes immunological outcomes of subsequent exposures to antigenically related new strains. SARS-CoV-2 Omicron breakthrough infections and bivalent COVID-19 vaccination primarily recall cross-reactive memory B cells induced by old Wuhan-Hu-1 spike mRNA vaccination rather than priming Omicron-specific naive B cells like XBB.1.5 current variant.

IXCHIQ is a single-doze vaccine for the prevention of disease by chikungunya virus (CHIKV) for adults over 18 years of age; CHIKV death rate is about 1/1,000 cases. 2023 has seen over 440,000 chikungunya cases resulting over 350 deaths.

One of the biggest prizes in disease eradication achieved: One of the greatest coups in medicine on infections diseases is happening right now with malaria. Matrix-M Plasmodium falciparum malaria vaccine costs between US$2-4 US a dose. WHO announced 2nd October 2023 the vaccine WHO stamp of approval, "prequalification," that allows i.e. UNICEF and the global vaccine alliance Gavi to buy the vaccines for distribution. RTS,S vaccine 15 million therapies is rolled out in some African countries early 2024, and the R21/Matrix-M vaccine 200 million therapies becomes available by the middle of 2024.

Other recent highlights. Immunization Schedule. Influenza A (H5N1) update: "Bird flu spillover to mammals needs to be monitored closely, risk to humans currently low but we must prepare". (WHO). Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Bivalent Subgroups A and B Vaccine for Infants and Adults ABRYSVO™ (Pfizer) and RSVpreF3 for adults AREXVY (GlaxoSmithKline). False Listing of RB51 as Approved Medicine for Brucellosis or Malta Fever.  Streptococcus pneumoniae PCV20. R21/Matrix-M™ Malaria (Plasmodium falciparum) vaccine 77% efficacy (approved and in mass production). Bivalent SARS-Cov-2.

[I am very thankful to receive links, additions and corrections to update, and to remove any obsolete material herein if spotted. Anti-Covid-19, anti-MMR, anti-Gardasil, anti-poliovirus anti-vaxxer depopulating messages are both unwelcome and repulsive to me.]

BREAKING NEWS: Vaccine Catastrophe - Veterinary Vaccine (Live-Attenuated Brucella abortus strain RB51) has incorrectly been indicated as an 'approved' prophylactic therapy for human vaccination against Brucellosis or Malta Fever (also variously known as ‘Mediterranean Fever’ and ‘Undulant Fever’). This error is totally inexcusable as this strain is extremely harmful when given to humans. Immunisation Schedule for Zaire Ebola virus for work where large bull (bovine) and buffalo herds are present (put together for the rescue and care insurers). Zaire Ebola contamination management in large herds of aforesaid large ruminants proves problematic with the biohazard suit that protect from the disease vectors as the animals respond aggressively to the human protective gear leading to panicking animals attacks, attempts of human butchery and animal rummage where people and properties can suddenly become threatened, as a health protection gives rise to animal threat by the rummaging animals trampling and horn attacking people in biohazard gear. The ring fencing experimental Zaire Ebola vaccines were not available at the time of this original plan instigated where the China-based organisation prepared an emergency quantitative easing (QE) cash programme, ‘helicopter drops of money’ as a mitigation strategy to persuade the food producers and food vendors to continue serving the general public against an infection risk during a major ebola epidemic - to prevent food industry's distribution and production collapses as the personnel might otherwise decide to stop working and to stay home so as to avoid infecting themselves by the dangerous pathogen (in this case a Zaire Ebola Virus). The above can lead to severe food shortages and ultimately potential starvation occurrence unless that epidemic had not subsided soon enough to prevent this secondary consequence from emerging. Because of similarity of early Zaire Ebola symptoms to other infectious illnesses at the early stages, the work undertaken in remote areas, the lead time in medical evacuations in case of illnesses, and the immense cost of privately-funded flying hospital dispatch to carry out a rescue operation, an exhaustive mutual exclusion prophylactic scheme was initiated to minimise unnecessary calls for such a flying hospital facility (remote medical service) from overseas.

Reported BEXSERO to GlaxoSmithKline on an unlisted side effect of stealthy temperature rise (see 19/03/2020 version, page 7) to +42.3C / +108.1F with weakening of normal body temperature control like sweating and relative lack of sense of highly elevated body temperature able to cause heat stroke and other related damage to body.

The immunisation schedule incorporates emergency authorisation Covid-19 immunisations and coronavirus vaccines that shortly complete their approval. Some of the Covid-19 immunisations likely vanish from marketplace as soon as the pandemic is over whereas some other vaccine designs may seek themselves second life as generic coronavirus immunisations. (The research field of coronaviruses is rapidly changing with these overlooked viruses also causing many common colds is brought into spotlight.) Almost all Covid-19 products have not been tested for concomitant use with many other immunisation products and therefore a reasonable space should be allowed between immunisations to avoid adverse effect risks. Because of this one ought to consider whether at current pandemic situation some immunisation products of lesser importance should be taken and whether it is better to defer them until situation clears (considering the ongoing infections with Covid-19 variants and especially in some remote regions where sequencing of the variants is very sparse as the protection to Covid-19 is very important).  Because of above reason, this schedule is not currently geared for rapid deployment in tropics as too many uncertainties lie within which good protection against Covid-19 must prevail. Section on Covid-19 products is continually expiring due to evolving situation.

Updates on Streptococcus pneumoniae PCV20.

The latest version of the document supersedes all earlier versions that ought to be discarded and not used.

Brucellosis merupakan penyakit yang beresiko sangat tinggi, sehingga alat-alat peternakan yang telah tercemar oleh bakteri Brucella sp. sebaiknya tidak bersentuhan langsung dengan hewan ternak, selain itu penyakit ini juga bersifat zoonosis sehingga penyebaran penyakit ke manusia perlu diwaspadai. . Di dalam tubuh hewan penderita, bakteri hidup dalam inti sel dan umumnya dapat diisolasi dari kelenjar pertahanan tubuh (kelenjar limfe) dan beberapa organ dalam tubuh seta saluran kelamin hewan jantan. Sekali hewan bunting, bakteri Brucella abortus mutasi ke uterus (kandungan) dan memperbanyak diri karena ada cairan eryhritol sejenis karbohidrat yang diproduksi organ ini selama kebuntingan dan merupakan media ideal bagi pertumbuhan bakteri ini

The epidemiological link between brucellosis in wildlife and brucellosis in livestock and people is widely recognised. When studying brucellosis in wildlife, three questions arise: (i) Is this the result of a spillover from livestock or a sustainable infection in one or more host species of wildlife? (ii) Does wildlife brucellosis represent a reservoir of Brucella strains for livestock? (iii) Is it of zoonotic concern? Despite their different host preferences, B. abortus and B. suis have been isolated from a variety of wildlife species, whereas B. melitensis is rarely reported in wildlife. The pathogenesis of Brucella spp. in wildlife reservoirs is not yet fully defined. The prevalence of brucellosis in some wildlife species is very low and thus the behaviour of individual animals, and interactions between wildlife and livestock, may be the most important drivers for transmission. Since signs of the disease are non-pathognomonic, definitive diagnosis depends on laboratory testing, i...

A cross-sectional investigation was made into the seroprevalence of brucellosis in camels in three arid and semi-arid camel-rearing regions of Ethiopia (Afar, Somali and Borena) between November 2000 and April 2001. When sera collected from 1442 accessible camels were screened with the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT). 82 (5.7%) of them reacted. The results of a complement fixation test (CFT) on those sera that had given a positive reaction to the screening test then indicated a 4.2% prevalence of brucellosis in the tested camels. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of brucellosis (chi2 = 7.91, p < 0.05), which was highest in Afar (5.2%) followed by Somali (2.8%) and Borena (1.2%) regions. Camels in Afar had a four times higher risk of brucellosis with an odds ratio (OR) of 4.34 (confidence interval, CI = 1.76-10.72, p < 0.001) compared to the risk in Borena. Likewise, Afar had higher risk (OR = 1.76, 1.13-2.74, p < 0.05) than that in Somali. There was no sign...

Sophocles, one of the most noted playwrights of the ancient world, wrote the tragedy Oedipus Rex in the first half of the decade 430–420 bc. A lethal plague is described in this drama. We adopted a critical approach to Oedipus Rex in analyzing the literary description of the disease, unraveling its clinical features, and defining a possible underlying cause. Our goals were to clarify whether the plague described in Oedipus Rex reflects an actual historical event; to compare it with the plague of Athens, which was described by Thucydides as occurring around the same time Sophocles wrote; and to propose a likely causative pathogen. A critical reading of Oedipus Rex and a comparison with Thucydides’ history, as well as a systematic review of historical data, strongly suggests that this epidemic was an actual event, possibly caused by Brucella abortus.

The present study was delineated to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of camel brucellosis in Northern Somalia (Somaliland). The study was carried out at three main districts of camel-rearing regions of Somaliland (Awdal, Waqoyi Galbed and Togdheer) in the period from July to November, 2008. A total of 1246 camel blood sera were randomly collected from 42 sporadic small scale camel herds. Two serological tests were used to screen all serum samples, Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and indirect ELISA (I-ELISA). Multivariate logistic regression was constructed to study the risk factors associated with Brucella seropositive cases. The overall prevalence of camel brucellosis in districts under investigation was 3.9% by RBPT and 3.1% by (I-ELISA). Multivariate logistic regression on animal level showed that locality (P < 0.05; OR: 6.254; CI, 1.186–32.976), herd size (P < 0.001; OR: 5.493; CI, 2.956-10–207), rearing with other ruminants (P < 0.001; OR: 12.433; CI, 3.957–39.060), and contact with other camels (P < 0.05; OR: 5.311; CI, 1.093–25.800) were the potential risk factors. However, herd size (P < 0.05; OR: 5.425; CI, 1.181–24.932), and rearing with other ruminants (P < 0.05; OR: 20.466; CI, 1.456–28.638) were recorded as risk factors on the herd level. The results of the present investigation indicate that the Brucella spp. exists within the camel herds in Somaliland. Further studies need to be done on Brucella infection in the other ruminants to determine which measure should be followed for control of brucellosis.

Rabies is an acute fatal zoonotic encephalitis caused by a Lyssavirus belonging to the family rhabdoviridae responsible for about 69000 deaths annually. In July, 2015 Malaysia lost its rabies free status due to an outbreak of canine rabies that started from Perlis state and later moved to Kedah and Pulau Pinang states of Malaysia. This study was carried out to review available data on rabies and determine the incidence of rabies during the outbreak, the susceptible population of dogs, the number of dogs culled, the number of dogs vaccinated and lessons that can be learned from the outbreak using data principally from the OIE and other public domain sources. Statistical calculations employed chi square analysis at 95% confidence level using SPSS version 22. The incidence of rabies was 0.10% (CI= 0.05%, 0.18%). There was significant difference (P<0.0001) between the number of cases, number of susceptible dogs, number of dogs destroyed and number of dogs vaccinated between the 3 states in Malaysia with Perlis having the highest number of cases, Kedah having the highest number of susceptible dogs, Pulau Pinang having the highest number of culled dogs but with the least number of vaccinated dogs and Kedah having the highest number of vaccinated dogs. Perlis had the highest number of cases followed by Pulau Pinang. Kedah with the highest number of vaccinations recorded only 1 case of rabies. There was no case of human rabies despite numerous dog bite cases during the outbreak. The proximity of the 3 states especially Perlis to a rabies endemic country must have led to the outbreak of the infection. Mass vaccination of dogs along with short term targeted culling is important in stopping rabies outbreaks. Territories within close proximity to endemic locations must maintain more surveillance against transboundary diseases like rabies. Post exposure prophylaxis is necessary immediately after exposure to rabies to prevent human infection.
Keywords: Rabies, outbreak, public health, canine, human, Malaysia

Aim: The study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of Brucella antibody in slaughter cattle and goats; and the role of slaughterhouse workers (SHWs) in spread of Brucella infection during slaughterhouse operations in Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: Rose Bengal plate test was used to screen for Brucella antibody in 484 cattle and 340 goats slaughtered for human consumption in the state. Structured and pretested questionnaire was used to elicit information from randomly selected SHWs, on socioeconomic characteristics, awareness of brucellosis and involvement in practices that aid dissemination of Brucella infection during slaughterhouse operations.

Results: Suspected seroprevalence of 2.5% and 4.1% were recorded for Brucella antibody in cattle and goats respectively. There was poor awareness of brucellosis (32.1%) among the workers surveyed. Slaughterhouse practices that aid acquisition or spread of Brucella infection and percentage of SHWs engaged in the practices are: non-use of personal protective clothing during slaughterhouse operations (70.8%), discharge of eviscerated fetuses or pregnant uterine contents by open-air dump method of refuse disposal (64.9%) and illegal sell of eviscerated fetuses or gravid uterine contents for human consumption (59.9%) or preparation of dog food (71.5%).

Conclusion: The 4.1% suspected seroprevalence of Brucella antibodies in goats represents 128% increase from 1.8% seroprevalence earlier reported in the same species and study area in 2009. Significant amounts of Brucella antibody was detected in the food animals screened. Slaughterhouse workers played significant roles in spread of Brucella infection by their involvement in risk practices and behaviours that facilitate pathogen transmission. Therefore, massive awareness campaign and coordinated brucellosis control program in Enugu State are imperative to forestall the zoonotic and economic consequences associated with brucellosis.

Brucellaspecies are facultative, intracellular, Gram-negative bacteria with marked tropism for the pregnant reproductive tract of domestic animals. All Brucella species establish persistent infection in the reticuloendothelial system of their natural hosts. The mechanisms of placenta localisation, trophoblast tropism and abortion are poorly understood. A complete picture of the molecular determinants and mechanisms of the cell internalisation process began to emerge only recently. Cyclic beta-1,2-glucan is a molecule secreted into the periplasm of Brucella and is required for intracellular Brucella to avoid fusion of the phagosome with lysosomes. The type IV secretion system translocates Brucella effector proteins into host cells and is critical for both survival and replication of Brucella in infected host cells. Some aspects of the pathogenesis and pathobiology of brucellosis in productive domestic animals are discussed in this section.

Background and Aim: Brucellosis is a major constraint to livestock production in Egypt as well as many developing countries worldwide. Bovine brucellosis is an economically important disease with reproductive failure as a principal manifestation resulting in abortion, premature birth and decreased milk production in females, and orchitis and epididymitis in males. In spite of the efforts of Egyptian veterinary services to overcome brucellosis, the disease is still prevalent in both animals and humans and represents one of the most important public health hazards in Egypt. The aim of the present work was to investigate the efficacy of the control program implemented by the General Organization of Veterinary Services in Brucella infected buffalo farm on serological, molecular, cultural, and histopathological basis. Brucella melitensis biovar 3 was recovered from 6 buffalo-cows.

Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from a total of 750 non-vaccinated lactating buffalo-cows. These animals were proved positive for Brucella by the Egyptian brucellosis national program. Sera were tested using buffered acidified plate antigen test and rose Bengal test as screening tests and complement fixation test as a confirmatory test. Positive animals were separated for slaughtering under the supervision of the Egyptian veterinary authorities. Remaining animals were tested every 3 weeks with slaughtering of positive cases and this continued until the remaining animals revealed three successive negative serological tests. Different lymph nodes (prescapular, prefemoral, mediastinal, retropharyngeal, and supramammary) were collected from 11 Brucella seropositive buffalo-cows slaughtered after being confirmed serologically as Brucella infected cases. Samples were collected and processed for bacterial isolation and nucleic acid detection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Parts of these specimens were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin for 48 h then processed by paraffin embedding technique.

Results: "Test and slaughter" policy was applied on Brucella infected dairy buffalo farm. The program continued for 6 months with slaughtering of positive cases until the herd was proved Brucella free. B. melitensis biovar 3 could be recovered from six buffalo-cows. Universal PCR confirmed Brucella on genus level and Bruce-ladder multiplex, PCR confirmed the presence of B. melitensis on the species level. Histopathological examination of Brucella-infected lymph nodes revealed massive rarified and depleted lymphoid areas of both sub-capsular and deep cortical lymphoid follicles, macrophage cells granulomatous reaction, as well as fat, infiltrates, and chronic vasculitis. The chronic nature of Brucella lesions has been confirmed in this study as indicated by the chronic vasculitis and collagen deposition.

Conclusion: Freedom status from brucellosis in this study required 6 months which are considered long time allowing the spread of infection to other localities especially under unhygienic conditions, husbandry system favoring mixed populations of different ages, sex, aborted and pregnant, and lack of controlled movement of animals. Therefore, effective control of animal brucellosis requires surveillance to identify infected animal herds, elimination of the reservoirs, and vaccination of young heifers. B. melitensis biovar 3 is the cause of the Brucella outbreak in buffalo which still remains the prevalent type of Brucella in Egypt. The disease runs a chronic course allowing further spread of infection.

Background and Aim: Brucellosis is a bacterial disease notorious for its ability to infect a wide range of domestic and wildlife animals, as well as humans. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of ovine and caprine brucellosis and the associated risk factors in the Province of Bam in Burkina Faso.

Materials and Methods: The individual serological status of 300 unvaccinated sheep and 300 unvaccinated goats was determined by Rose Bengal and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) serological tests used in parallel. The frequency of behaviors conferring risk of developing this zoonotic disease was determined through two epidemiological questionnaires, which identified known risk factors for the transmission of brucellosis between animals and humans.

Results: Individual seroprevalence was estimated at 6.0% (18/300) in sheep and 4.3% (13/300) in goats. The "herd" prevalence of brucellosis was estimated at 60% in sheep while 40% in goats. Positivity in the iELISA serological test was significantly associated with age, sex, and husbandry system in sheep and goats.

Conclusion: These results indicate that Brucella melitensis circulates in sheep and goat farms in the Province of Bam in Burkina Faso. As B. melitensis is highly pathogenic to humans, adequate measures must be taken to protect the population against this zoonotic disease.

Brucellosis is rare in pregnancy. Recently, an increase in the incidence of this disease has been observed in our area. We present 7 cases of brucellosis in pregnancy and review the literature on the effects of brucellosis on the outcome of pregnancy. Brucellosis is rare in the Middle East and Africa and the most common source of infection is unpasteurized milk products. Brucella is a coccobacillus, gram-negative bacterium, whose hosts are mostly animals. There is controversy about the relationship between brucellosis and the outcome of pregnancy. There is some evidence that there is a higher rate of complications such as abortion, premature rupture of membranes and preterm delivery in infected animals. Reasons for this difference in the impact of brucella in animals and man include the absence of the carbohydrate erythritol in the human placenta, which appears to be a preferential medium and growth factor for brucella in the placentas of animals. There is uncertainty regarding effe...

Brucellosis is one of the major zoonotic diseases that affect several domestic animals, wild animals and also marine mammals. Though there is no specific Brucella sp. that can affect horses, B. abortus and B. suis can affect horses naturally and B. canis experimental infection has also been reported in equines. Brucellosis in equines is characterized by two conditions namely Poll evil and fistulous withers. Organism has its predilection for joints, ligaments and tendons in case of equines and causes inflammatory conditions leading to formation of fistula. Equine brucellosis has been documented from several parts of the world and prevalence has been reported time to time mostly based on serological diagnosis. Diagnosis of brucellosis mainly depends on serological methods though isolation of the organism is the gold standard. Due to hazardous nature of the pathogen, tests like Rose Bengal plate agglutination test, Standard tube agglutination test and other serological assays are commonly employed. Isothermal amplification assay like LAMP are gaining momentum these years due to swiftness in diagnosis of the pathogen. LAMP with high specificity and sensitivity for detection of Brucella spp. and also B. abortus has been developed in the recent years. Prevention and control of brucellosis is of utmost important to halt the spread of the organism to other animals and human. Trauma is a major reason for predisposition of poll evil and fistulous withers hence proper fitting of saddle will help to prevent the disease. Housing and feeding the horses separately can prevent spread of disease from cattle. The present review discusses equine brucellosis, its epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical signs along with appropriate prevention and control strategies to be adapted.

Brucellosis is a disease caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Brucella, which is endemic in sub‑Saharan African countries, including Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe has a widespread dairy industry with peri‑urban dairy establishments built in order to improve milk availability to rural communities. This study has been the first attempt to estimate the prevalence of brucellosis in Zimbabwe as a whole, using samples submitted to the Central veterinary laboratory between 2010 and 2014. A total of 156 farms were tested with Rose Bengal Test (RBT), Complement Fixation Test (CFT) and Milk Ring Test (MRT). Parallel testing was used to determine whether or not a farm was to be considered positive: 30.1% (95% C.I.: 23.5% ‑ 37.8%) of the farms tested were found positive (47/156). Harare district had the highest number of sample submissions with 6 out of 17 farms testing positive (P = 37.5%; 95% C.I.: 18.4% ‑ 61.7%). Awareness of milk‑borne zoonoses is reportedly generally low in farmers (41.5%). This is even more the case in small‑holder farmers who have higher likelihoods of selling or ingesting raw milk compared with dairy farmers. The results show the need to carry out surveillance of brucellosis in cattle in Zimbabwe to understand the spatial distribution of the disease in the country. This is particularly relevant given the zoonotic and economic implications of this disease.