Brucellosis in bovines has been associated with Brucella abortus, which causes placentitis and abortion, typically in late gestation. The disease often presents as an outbreak of abortion, so notification of unexpected abortions forms an important part of surveillance.
Many countries run an eradication program or are free of Burcellosis. Disease outbreaks have typically been associated with imported cattle, which are considered to constitute the greatest risk to disease introduction.
Brucellosis is found in European countries, particularly in southern European countries where the disease is found in small ruminants and has a variable wildlife reservoir. Therefore testing of animals after importation is an important control measure.
- Causes of Brucellosis >
- Diagnosis of Brucellosis >
- Treatment & Control of Brucellosis >
- Medication/Vaccination for Brucellosis >
Causes of Brucellosis
The bacterium Brucella abortus is the principal cause of brucellosis in cattle. The bacteria are shed from an infected animal at or around the time of calving or abortion. Once exposed, the likelihood of an animal becoming infected is variable, depending on age, pregnancy status, and other intrinsic factors of the animal as well as the amount of bacteria to which the animal was exposed.
Diagnosis of Brucellosis
The most common clinical signs of cattle infected with Brucella abortus are high incidences of abortions, arthritic joints and retained after-birth. There are two main causes for spontaneous abortion in animals.
The first is due to erythritol, which can promote infections in the foetus and placenta. Second is due to the lack of anti-Brucella activity in the amniotic fluid. Males can also harbor the bacteria in their reproductive tracts, namely seminal vesicles, ampullea, testicles, and epididymides.
Treatment & Control of Brucellosis
Cows that are confirmed to be infected are often killed. In countries such as the US veterinarians are required to vaccinate all young stock, thereby further reducing the chance of zoonotic transmission.
This vaccination is usually referred to as a "calfhood" vaccination. Most cattle receive a tattoo in their ear serving as proof of their vaccination status. This tattoo also includes the last digit of the year they were born.
Medication/Vaccination for Brucellosis
This info was adapted from Defra’s Compendium of Animal Health & Welfare in Organic Farming, which is a collaborative effort led by Duchy College, Cornwall with VEERU at The University of Reading and The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow.
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