Observations on the eradication of Brucella ovis infection from a ram flock

Authors: Bruce RA, West DM
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 39, Issue 1, pp 29-31, Mar 1991
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Bacterial, Biosecurity, Disease/defect, Infectious disease, Clinical pathology, Diagnostic procedures, Disease control/eradication, Epidemiology, Reproduction - male, Inflammation, Notifiable organisms/exotic disease, Reproduction, Zoonosis, Public health
Article class: Clinical Communication

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Abstract: The measures taken to eradicate Brucella ovis infection from a naturally infected flock of 64 rams are described. Lesions of epididymitis were detected in 18 rams, all of which gave either positive or suspicious reactions in the complement fixation test. A further 20 rams gave serological reactions in the complement fixation test. Subsequently, semen was collected from 14 of these 20 rams and B. ovis was cultured from the semen of all 14 rams. Serum samples from two rams failed to react in the complement fixation test. However, they were identified as infected with the aid of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the subsequent culture of semen samples. It is suggested that, when eradicating B. ovis infection from ram flocks, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay be used in addition to both the complement fixation test and the physical examination. Using a combination of tests as described can increase the likehood of an earlier eradication of B. ovis infection.

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