Case study of canine brucellosis by brucella abortus: epidemiological inquiry

Abstract

The objective of this research was to identify brucellosis by Brucella abortus and the possible risk factors associated with the transmission of the infection in dogs in the urban area of the municipality of Viçosa-AL, as well as to alert health authorities about the risk of this potential zoonosis, create a booklet to alert the population about the risks of the disease and the possibility of creating a test protocol in clinical care at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Alagoas. A study was carried out in the city of Viçosa-AL to investigate the presence of B. abortus in 30 adult male dogs. The animals that showed symptoms suggestive of reproductive disease were referred for evaluation of the hematological pattern and clinical and surgical treatment. Parallel to the blood collection, a questionnaire was applied to the owners of these dogs. Buffered acid antigen (AAT) techniques were used as a screening test and 2-Mercaptoethanol (2-ME) as a confirmatory test for AAT positives with symptoms of brucellosis. The study aimed to analyze the number of positive dogs, the clinical and anatomopathological changes and the risk factors for the occurrence of brucellosis in dogs in the municipality of Viçosa-AL. As dogs are a means of transmission for humans, health authorities must pay special attention to this disease, including the control of dogs in the Program for Control and Eradication of Brucellosis of the Ministry of Agriculture. In addition to intensifying control of vaccination and diagnosis in cattle.