FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Can J Vet Res / Prevalence of Brucella abortus antibodies in equines of a tr...
Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire2006; 70(4); 302-304;

Prevalence of Brucella abortus antibodies in equines of a tropical region of Mexico.

Abstract: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determinate the seroprevalence rate of equine brucellosis in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Serum samples from 420 equines were analyzed with the Rose Bengal test at cell concentrations of 3% (RBT-3%) and 8% (RBT-8%), and positive results were confirmed with the Rivanol test (RT). Risk factors were determined with the prevalence ratio (PR) and the use of variables generated from a questionnaire administered to the animals' owners. Serum from 1 stallion had positive results with both the RBT-8% and the RT, for a seroprevalence rate of 0.238%. Drinking of water from a pond that was also used by cattle and dogs was the only associated risk factor for this animal (PR = 0.25). However, the results were considered false-positive, because the results for other horses in the same environmental conditions were negative. Although brucellosis is considered endemic in ruminants in the study area, the results obtained suggest that equines are not a reservoir of brucellosis and do not play an important role in the epidemiologic patterns of this disease in northeastern Mexico. Une étude transversale a été effectuée dans l’état de Tamaulipas au Mexique afin de déterminer le taux de séroprévalence de la brucellose équine. Des échantillons de sérum provenant de 420 chevaux ont été analysés par l’épreuve du Rose de Bengale à une concentration cellulaire de 3 % (RBT-3 %) et 8 % (RBT-8 %) et les résultats positifs ont été confirmés par l’épreuve du Rivanol (RT). Les facteurs de risque ont été déterminés à l’aide des ratios de prévalence (PR) et l’utilisation de variables générées à partir d’un questionnaire soumis aux propriétaires des animaux. L’échantillon de sérum d’un étalon a donné un résultat positif aux épreuves RBT-8 % et RT, pour un taux de séroprévalence de 0,238 %. La prise d’eau à partir d’un étang utilisé également par des bovins et des chiens a été le seul facteur de risque associé à cet animal (PR = 0,25). Toutefois, les résultats ont été considérés comme étant un faux-positif compte tenu du fait que les résultats des autres chevaux gardés dans les mêmes conditions s’étaient avérés négatifs. Bien que la brucellose soit considérée comme endémique chez les ruminants de la région étudiée, les résultats obtenus suggèrent que les chevaux ne sont pas un réservoir de brucellose et ne joue pas un rôle important dans le patron épidémiologique de la maladie dans le nord-est du Mexique. (Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier)
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2006-10-18 PubMed ID: 17042384PubMed Central: PMC1562530
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigated the prevalence of Brucella abortus antibodies in horses in Tamaulipas, Mexico, and concluded that horses do not play a significant role in the epidemiology of brucellosis in this region.

Method of Investigation

  • The study employed a cross-sectional design to determine the prevalence rate of equine brucellosis in the Tamaulipas region of Mexico.
  • The researchers used the Rose Bengal test at different cell concentrations (3% and 8%) to analyze serum samples collected from 420 horses. Positive results from this test were then confirmed using the Rivanol test.
  • Additional data was collected through a questionnaire given to the owners of the horses to identify potential risk factors for the disease, these factors were then assessed using prevalence ratio (PR) calculations.

Findings and Interpretation

  • The research identified one stallion with a positive test result for Brucella abortus antibodies at a cell concentration of 8% using the Rose Bengal test and this result was confirmed by the Rivanol test – a seroprevalence rate of 0.238% for the total samples.
  • The identified risk factor for this particular stallion was its consumption of water from a pond that was used by cattle and dogs as well.
  • However, the researchers considered this single positive result to be a probable false positive as other horses that shared the same environmental conditions did not test positive for brucellosis.

Conclusion and Implications

  • The study concluded that horses are not a reservoir for Brucella abortus, despite brucellosis being an endemic disease among ruminants in the study area.
  • It further implies that horses do not play a significant role in the epidemiological patterns or spread of brucellosis in this region of northeastern Mexico.
  • The results of this study have important implications for veterinary practices and public health measures targeting the prevention and control of brucellosis in this area.

Cite This Article

APA
Acosta-González RI, González-Reyes I, Flores-Gutiérrez GH. (2006). Prevalence of Brucella abortus antibodies in equines of a tropical region of Mexico. Can J Vet Res, 70(4), 302-304.

Publication

Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire
ISSN: 0830-9000
NlmUniqueID: 8607793
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 70
Issue: 4
Pages: 302-304

Researcher Affiliations

Acosta-González, Rosa I
  • Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria Reynosa-Aztlán, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Calle 16 y Lago de Chapala, Colonia Aztlán, Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
González-Reyes, Ismael
    Flores-Gutiérrez, Gerardo H

      MeSH Terms

      • Animal Husbandry / methods
      • Animals
      • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
      • Brucella abortus / immunology
      • Brucellosis / epidemiology
      • Brucellosis / veterinary
      • Cross-Sectional Studies
      • Disease Reservoirs / veterinary
      • Equidae
      • Female
      • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
      • Horses
      • Male
      • Mexico / epidemiology
      • Risk Factors
      • Rose Bengal
      • Seroepidemiologic Studies
      • Surveys and Questionnaires

      References

      This article includes 19 references
      1. Acha PN, Szyfres B. Brucellosis. 1980:28–45.
      2. Santellano-Estrada E, Infante F, Díaz-Aparicio E, Flores-Gutiérrez GH. Use of an immunobinding test on nitrocellulose paper to diagnose caprine brucellosis.. Vet Res Commun 2004 Jan;28(1):27-31.
        pubmed: 14989360doi: 10.1023/b:verc.0000009532.11237.77google scholar: lookup
      3. Nicoletti PL, Mahler JR, Scarratt WK. Study of agglutinins to Brucella abortus, B canis and Actinobacillus equuli in horses.. Equine Vet J 1982 Oct;14(4):302-4.
        pubmed: 6816581doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1982.tb02434.xgoogle scholar: lookup
      4. Cohen ND, Carter GK, McMullan WC. Fistulous withers in horses: 24 cases (1984-1990).. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1992 Jul 1;201(1):121-4.
        pubmed: 1644634
      5. Omer MK, Skjerve E, Holstad G, Woldehiwet Z, Macmillan AP. Prevalence of antibodies to Brucella spp. in cattle, sheep, goats, horses and camels in the State of Eritrea; influence of husbandry systems.. Epidemiol Infect 2000 Oct;125(2):447-53.
        pmc: PMC2869619pubmed: 11117970doi: 10.1017/s0950268899004501google scholar: lookup
      6. Office International des Épizooties (OIE). Bovine brucellosis. 2004.
      7. Alton GG, Jones LM, Angus RD, Verger JM. Techniques for the Brucellosis Laboratory. 1988.
      8. Dawson FL, Durrant DS. Some serological reactions to "brucella" antigen in the horse.. Equine Vet J 1975 Jul;7(3):137-40.
        pubmed: 1157808doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1975.tb03251.xgoogle scholar: lookup
      9. Jenicek M. Búsqueda de las causas de la aparición de la enfermedad. 1996:165–215.
      10. Baek BK, Lim CW, Rahman MS, Kim CH, Oluoch A, Kakoma I. Brucella abortus infection in indigenous Korean dogs.. Can J Vet Res 2003 Oct;67(4):312-4.
        pmc: PMC280718pubmed: 14620870
      11. MacMillan AP, Cockrem DS. Observations on the long term effects of Brucella abortus infection in the horse, including effects during pregnancy and lactation.. Equine Vet J 1986 Sep;18(5):388-90.
        pubmed: 3095109doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1986.tb03661.xgoogle scholar: lookup
      12. Boeer WJ, Crawford RP, Hidalgo RJ, Robinson RM. Small mammals and white-tailed deer as possible reservoir hosts of Brucella abortus in Texas.. J Wildl Dis 1980 Jan;16(1):19-24.
        pubmed: 6768900doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-16.1.19google scholar: lookup
      13. Jones RL, Tamayo RI, Porath W, Giessman N, Selby LS, Buening GM. A serologic survey of brucellosis in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Missouri.. J Wildl Dis 1983 Oct;19(4):321-3.
        pubmed: 6417351doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-19.4.321google scholar: lookup
      14. Salinas-Meléndez JA, Martínez-Muñoz A, Avalos-Ramírez R, Cerutti-Pereyra N, Riojas-Valdés VM. Serological activity of white-tail deer against several species of Brucella.. Rev Latinoam Microbiol 1998 Jul-Dec;40(3-4):124-7.
        pubmed: 10932740
      15. Martinez A, Salinas A, Martinez F, Cantu A, Miller DK. Serosurvey for selected disease agents in white-tailed deer from Mexico.. J Wildl Dis 1999 Oct;35(4):799-803.
        pubmed: 10574545doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-35.4.799google scholar: lookup
      16. Giraudo JA, Dauria PG, de la Cruz JP, Bagnat E. [Anti-leptospira and anti-brucella agglutinins in hares (Lepus europaeus) from Rio Cuarto Department, Province of Cordoba].. Rev Argent Microbiol 1985;17(4):221-3.
        pubmed: 3870659
      17. Mathias LA, Girio RJ, Duarte JM. Serosurvey for antibodies against Brucella abortus and Leptospira interrogans in pampas deer from Brazil.. J Wildl Dis 1999 Jan;35(1):112-4.
        pubmed: 10073359doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-35.1.112google scholar: lookup
      18. Torre López E, Gojón de la Garza FL. [Incidence of goat brucellosis in Tamaulipas].. Salud Publica Mex 1970 May-Jun;12(3):333-8.
        pubmed: 5534584
      19. Brown WH, Hernández de Anda J. Brucellosis in adult beef cattle of Mexican origin shipped direct-to-slaughter into Texas.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1998 Mar 1;212(5):705-7.
        pubmed: 9524645

      Citations

      This article has been cited 5 times.
      1. Lotfi Z, Pourmahdi Borujeni M, Ghorbanpoor M, Ghadrdan Mashhadi AR. Seroprevalence and risk factors of brucellosis in Arabian horses. Vet Med Sci 2022 May;8(3):1056-1064.
        doi: 10.1002/vms3.759pubmed: 35122678google scholar: lookup
      2. Kalule JB, Tomusange J, Namatovu T. Serological detection of brucellosis among febrile, malaria-negative children and domesticated dogs in an urban African setting. Afr J Lab Med 2020;9(1):864.
        doi: 10.4102/ajlm.v9i1.864pubmed: 33102165google scholar: lookup
      3. Conte F, Panebianco A. Potential Hazards Associated with Raw Donkey Milk Consumption: A Review. Int J Food Sci 2019;2019:5782974.
        doi: 10.1155/2019/5782974pubmed: 31275956google scholar: lookup
      4. Kithuka JM, Wachira TM, Onono JO, Ngetich W. The burden of brucellosis in donkeys and its implications for public health and animal welfare: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Vet World 2025 Feb;18(2):367-378.
        doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2025.367-378pubmed: 40182828google scholar: lookup
      5. Amini M, Alamian S, Talebhemmat M, Dadar M. Equine brucellosis in Iran: serological, bacteriological and molecular analysis. Vet Res Commun 2024 Jun;48(3):1511-1519.
        doi: 10.1007/s11259-024-10332-0pubmed: 38366185google scholar: lookup
      Subscribe to our newsletter
      Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.