Circulating Brucella spp. isolates in dairy cattle farms of Iran

BACKGROUND AND ABJECTIVEBrucellosis is a widespread disease in developing countries like Iran. Cattle are mainly affected by Brucella abortus, although Brucella melitensis and Brucella suis can also sometimes cause infections in cattle. Common symptoms in female cattle include abortion and the retention of the fetal membrane, while males may exhibit signs of orchitis and bursitis. The transmission of brucellosis typically occurs through direct or indirect contact with infected cattle or their bodily fluids. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of brucellosis in cattle slaughtered in the Iranian slaughterhouses and identify the Brucella species circulating among these animalsMATERIALS AND METHODS. A total of ۵۲۵ cattle lymph node samples during ۲۰۲۱ and ۲۰۲۲ were collected from the different provinces of Iran and analysed by culture. Following the culture assay, all isolated bacteria were subjected to phage typing and AMOS PCR analysis.RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONThe prevalence of brucellosis in different locations was ۱۹.۴%, ۱۲.۴%, ۰.۹% and ۰.۳% for Brucella melitensis biovar ۱, Brucella abortus biovar ۳, Brucella melitensis biovar ۳ and RB۵۱ vaccine respectively. The ۱۷۴ isolated samples were confirmed with PCR.CONCLUSIONImplementing effective management techniques and raising public awareness about the transmission of brucellosis are crucial. Furthermore, there is a need for additional research on brucellosis in high-risk farms.