Use of Brucella abortus species specific polymerase chain reaction assay for the diagnosis of bovine brucellosis

Authors

  • Songelwayo L Chisi Allerton Provincial Veterinary Laboratory
  • Tracy Schmidt Allerton Provincial Veterinary Laboratory
  • George W Akol Dohne Agricultural Development Institute
  • Henriette van Heerden University of Pretoria

Abstract

Serology is primarily used in the diagnosis of bovine brucellosis. Bacterial culture and isolation is the gold standard in diagnosing brucellosis but, like serology, it does not offer complete (100%) diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been suggested to offer better specificity and sensitivity. In this study, we evaluated the performance of Brucella abortus species specific (BaSS) PCR directly from different samples in the diagnosis of bovine brucellosis in naturally infected cattle in KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa with known infectious status from culture. The BaSS PCR had a low diagnostic sensitivity
(DSe) of 70%, but was able to identify vaccine strains using abomasal fluid from aborted foetuses and detect Brucella DNA from decomposing samples. The best sample for the BaSS PCR was abomasal fluid.

Author Biographies

  • Songelwayo L Chisi, Allerton Provincial Veterinary Laboratory

    Department of Agriculture and Rural Development KwaZulu Natal Province, Allerton Provincial Veterinary
    Laboratory, South Africa

  • Tracy Schmidt, Allerton Provincial Veterinary Laboratory

    Department of Agriculture and Rural Development KwaZulu Natal Province, Allerton Provincial Veterinary
    Laboratory, South Africa

  • George W Akol, Dohne Agricultural Development Institute

    Centre of Veterinary Excellence, Dohne Agricultural Development Institute, South Africa and Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Stutterheim, South Africa

  • Henriette van Heerden, University of Pretoria

    Department of Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, South Africa

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Published

2021-12-09

Issue

Vol. 88 No. 1 (2017)

Section

Short Communications