Veterinary Research Forum
Vet Res Forum

Molecular identification of Brucella species and biovars associated with animal and human infection in Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Maryam Dadar 1
Saeed Alamian 1
Ali Mohammad Behrozikhah 1
Freshteh Yazdani 1
Armin Kalantari 1
Afshar Etemadi 1
Adrian M. Whatmore 2

1 Department of Brucellosis, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute (RVSRI); Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran

2 Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone, Surrey, United Kingdom

https://doi.org/10.30466/vrf.2018.89680.2171
Abstract
Brucellosis is a costly contagious disease of human, domestic and wild animals. It is a serious health problem in Iran causing significant economic losses therefore, control approaches to prevent its spread are of great importance. In Iran, the species and biovars of virulent Brucella species are still under-reported due to the inadequate diagnostic protocols and insufficient laboratory facilities. The objective of this study was to characterize Brucella isolates obtained from passive animal and human surveillance in Iran from 2011 to 2018 in order to understand the current epidemiological situation of the disease. A total of 419 samples (milk, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, abomasum content and aborted fetus tissues) were collected from 65 cases/case series (human and animals) and examined bacteriologically. The initially identified Brucella isolates were further characterized using phenotypic and molecular approaches. All recovered isolates were either B. abortus or B. melitensis. The infection in sheep appeared to be exclusively associated with B. melitensis, but both B. abortus and B. melitensis were common in bovine samples. Samples from one sheep and one goat were confirmed to be infected by the B. melitensis vaccine strain Rev1. In spite of B. abortus burden in animals (14 cases in cattle and camel), brucellosis in human was predominantly associated with B. melitensis (15 cases). The results confirmed that B. melitensis biovar 1 and B. abortus biovar 3 remain the most prevalent biovars in Iran. This report builds a picture of the significance of different Brucella species in different hosts in Iran and provides applicable information for the healthcare professionals about the public health risks of brucellosis and relevant preventive strategies.

Keywords

Brucellosis
Bruce ladder
PCR
Brucella species and biovars
Subjects

  1.  

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Veterinary Research Forum
Volume 10, Issue 4
Autumn 2019
Pages 315-321

  • Receive Date 11 July 2018
  • Revise Date 08 September 2018
  • Accept Date 25 September 2018

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