Publikationsdatenbank

Serological and Molecular Investigation of Brucella Species in Dogs in Pakistan (2019)

Art

Zeitschriftenartikel / wissenschaftlicher Beitrag

Autoren

Jamil, Tariq

Melzer, Falk

Khan, Iahtasham

Iqbal, Mudassar

Saqib, Muhammad

Hammad Hussain, Muhammad

Schwarz, Stefan (WE 7)

Neubauer, Heinrich

Quelle

Pathogens

Bandzählung: 8

Heftzählung: 4

Seiten: Article 294

ISSN: 2076-0817

Sprache

Englisch

Verweise

URL (Volltext): https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/8/4/294

DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8040294

Pubmed: 31847082

Kontakt

Institut für Mikrobiologie und Tierseuchen

Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13
14163 Berlin
+49 30 838 51843 / 66949
mikrobiologie@vetmed.fu-berlin.de

Abstract / Zusammenfassung

Brucellosis is an important bacterial zoonosis caused by B. abortus and B. melitensis in Pakistan. The status of canine brucellosis caused by B. canis remains obscure. In total, 181 serum samples were collected from stray and working dogs in two different prefectures viz. Faisalabad (n = 87) and Bahawalpur (n = 94). Presence of antibodies against B. canis and B. abortus/B. melitensis was determined using the slow agglutination test (SAT) and ELISA, respectively. Real-time PCR was performed to detect and differentiate Brucella DNA at the species level. In Faisalabad, the serological prevalence was found to be 9.2% (8/87) and 10.3% (9/87) by SAT and ELISA, respectively. Only one of the ELISA positive samples (1.15%) yielded amplification for B. abortus DNA. In Bahawalpur, 63.8% (60/94) samples were found positive by SAT; however, none of the samples was positive by ELISA or by real-time PCR. Location, age (≥1 year) and body condition (weak) were found to be associated with B. canis infection, whereas presence of wounds was found to be associated with B. abortus infection only. These findings point towards a risk of transmission from dog to livestock and humans and vice versa. The study expects to draw the attention of concerned authorities towards infection prevention and animal welfare. This study warrants further epidemiological investigation on brucellosis in pet dogs and their owners. To the best of our knowledge, this is first ever report on B. canis and B. abortus in dogs in Pakistan.