Brucellosis in Livestock: The Silent Thief of Dairy Profits

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Introduction

Brucellosis, which is otherwise known as contagious abortion or Bang's disease, is a major bacterial disease in bovines and other domestic animals, which is most commonly caused by Brucella abortus [1] [3].

  1. Key clinical indicators of Brucellosis in dairy cattle."



Etiology and Transmission

Bovine brucellosis is a bacterial infection caused by members of the genus Brucella, with Brucella abortus being the most common species infecting bovines [1] [15].

Transmission Routes:

•Ingestion: 

The most common route of transmission is through the ingestion of bacteria from aborted fetuses, fetal membranes, uterine discharges, and amniotic fluids of infected animals [3]. Such bacteria are ingested from contaminated food, water, and pastures as well [2].

•Direct Contact: 

Even healthy bovines can get infected with this disease through direct contact with already infected bovines and their discharges [2].

•Indirect Contact:

Brucella bacteria can persist in the environment for a certain period, which causes indirect transmission through equipment, clothing, and vehicles [2].

•Venereal Transmission:

 Although this mode of transmission is less common, Brucella can still get transmitted through this route, especially through bulls [3].

Clinical Signs

The clinical signs of brucellosis in cattle are mostly reproductive in nature, and they tend to be mild until abortion occurs [8].

Key Clinical Signs:

•Abortion: 

The characteristic clinical sign of brucellosis in cattle is abortion, particularly in pregnant cattle. Abortions tend to occur in the last trimester of pregnancy, that is, between the 5th and 8th months of gestation [7] [8] [9]. Although not all infected cattle tend to abort, those that do tend to shed large quantities of bacteria [7].

•Retention of Placenta:

Infected cattle tend to experience retention of the placenta, leading to metritis and infertility [9].

•Birth of Weak or Dead Calves: 

Infected cattle tend to deliver weak or stillborn calves [3] [7].

•Reduced Milk Production: 

There is a decrease in milk production, particularly in infected dairy cattle [4] [10].

•Inflammation of Testicles and Epididymis:

 Brucellosis in bulls leads to inflammation of the testicles, leading to infertility [8].

•Arthritis: 

Brucellosis leads to arthritis in cattle [15].

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of brucellosis in cattle is done on the basis of a combination of clinical signs and laboratory Diagnosis 
Clinical Signs:Abortions, retention of placenta, and reproductive problems in cattle tend to suggest brucellosis [7].

.Serological Test

Blood tests, such as the Rose Bengal Test, Complement Fixation Test, and ELISA, are commonly done to detect Brucella antibodies in cattle [3].

•Bacteriological Culture:

The bacteria Brucella, when isolated and identified, tend to provide a definitive diagnosis of brucellosis in cattle [3].

•PCR Test:

This is a quick diagnostic tool that detects Brucella DNA in cattle [15].

Treatment

Treatment of brucellosis in cattle is not recommended due to various reasons such as:

•Ineffectiveness:

 The antibiotic treatment administered to infected cattle is not effective in clearing the brucellosis bacteria from the infected animal completely, resulting in carrier animals.

•Cost: 

The antibiotic treatment is also not cost-effective as the process is long and requires intensive antibiotic therapy.

•Public Health Risk: 

The infected animals also pose a health risk to other animals and people even after the completion of the antibiotic treatment.The infected animals are therefore slaughtered through the test-and-slaughter policy. This is the primary method used in the control and eradication programs for brucellosis in cattle. This method is effective in controlling the spread of the disease among cattle populations [11].

Prevention and Control

Prevention and control of bovine brucellosis is important in the maintenance of animal health as well as public health. The prevention measures include vaccination, biosecurity, and surveillance.

•Vaccination: 

Vaccination is an important part of the brucellosis prevention program, especially in endemic areas. The RB-51 strain is used to vaccinate calves against brucellosis.

•Adult Vaccination:

 Adult vaccination is carried out by state and federal officials in some areas.

•Biosecurity: 

Biosecurity is important in the prevention of brucellosis in cattle. This includes:

•Quarantining new animals before introducing them to the herd.

•Disposal of aborted fetuses.

•Cleaning the infected areas.

•Restricting the access of brucellosis-infected wildlife to cattle pastures.

•Surveillance and Testing: 

Testing the cattle herds is important in the prevention of the spread of the disease among the cattle population.

•Eradication Program:

 Some countries have initiated eradication programs for brucellosis in cattle through the test-and-slaughter policy, vaccination, and movement controls.

Public Health Implications

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease; thus, it can spread from animals to humans. Brucellosis can spread from infected animals to humans either by direct contact with infected animal tissue material, as in the case of calving and aborted materials, or by ingesting unpasteurized dairy products from infected animals [4] [5]. Brucellosis can cause flu-like symptoms in humans, including fever, weakness, malaise, and joint pains, as well as weight loss; in some cases, complications can occur if left untreated [5] [6] [15].

References

1.Disease Alert: Bovine Brucellosis - USDA APHIS.

2.Bovine Brucellosis: Epidemiology, Public Health Implications, and - PMC - NIH.

3.Brucellosis in Cattle - Reproductive System - Merck Veterinary Manual.4.Veterinary Guidance for Brucellosis - CDC.

5.Brucellosis - World Health Organization (WHO) - WHO.

6.Brucellosis - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic.

7.Bovine Brucellosis - California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).8.Brucellosis - WOAH - World Organisation for Animal Health - WOAH.

9.Brucellosis - NADIS - NADIS.10.An Overview of Brucellosis in Cattle and Humans, and its - PMC - NIH.

11.NVAP Reference Guide: Brucellosis (Control and - USDA APHIS.

12.Importance of brucellosis control programs of livestock on the - PMC - NIH.

13.AHFSS - AHB - Brucellosis - CDFA.

14.Bovine brucellosis, associated risk factors and preventive - ScienceDirect.15.Brucellosis: epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and - PMC - NIH.


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