Authors : M. Bigdeli, M.M. Namavari, F. Moazeni-Jula, S. Sadeghzadeh and A. Mirzaei
Abstract: Brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by Brucella sp. This bacterium can be transmitted to humans as well as other dogs. It is a significant cause of reproductive failure, predominantly in kennels. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis in stray and herding dogs of mix breeds from seven districts in Shiraz, capital of Fars province, located in the south of Iran. A total of 175 blood samples were obtained from dogs between October 2009 and September 2010. Sera were examined by Rose bengal and Wright test (STAT). The studied dogs were divided into three age groups (≤1, 1-4 and ≥4 years). Prevalence to brucellosis in these dogs was 29.1% (51 of 175). According to the obtained Rose bengal test results, the seroprevalence of brucellosis varied significantly (p = 0.000, χ2 = 24.296) from 12-60% in various districts of the state. According to the obtained results, the serum titre of tube wright test in the studied people was different from 1/5 to 1/640 and in 21.6, 25.5 and 15.7% was 1/160, 1/320 and 1/640, respectively. The STAT results in dogs 41.2% (21 0f 51 ) was titre ≥1/200 but the wright test was no significant difference between the different seven districts either (p>0.05).The infection had more prevalence in dogs <1 year old (42.9%) in comparison with dogs 1-4 years old (27.1%) and dogs ≥4 years old (22.7%), the difference between the two age groups <1 year old and ≥4 years old was statistically significant (p = 0.056, χ2 = 3.652). But the difference between the two age groups <1 and 1-4, 1-4 years old and ≥4 years old was not statistically significant (p>0.05). There was no significant difference between the different sexes either (p>0.05). Also There was no significant difference between the two groups stray and herding dogs either (p>0.05). Nevertheless, dogs had no clinical signs. This study showed that brucellosis is present among the stray and herding dogs population of the Shiraz area and preventive measures should be taken to control pathogenic bacteria.
M. Bigdeli, M.M. Namavari, F. Moazeni-Jula, S. Sadeghzadeh and A. Mirzaei, 2011. First Study Prevalence of Brucellosis in Stray and Herding Dogs South of Iran. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 10: 1322-1326.