Infectious epididymitis caused by Brucella ovis in Croatian sheep flocks

Abstract

Špičić et al. (8) first described infectious epididymitis in rams in Croatia. The disease was later proven to be present in most counties in the country (9). Infection with the species B. ovis has been confirmed in virtually all countries with prominent sheep production. It has been reported in the neighboring countries of Slovenia (10) and Serbia (5,11). It has also been confirmed in Romania (12), Austria (13), Italy (14), Switzerland (15), Spain (3), Russia (16), Ukraine (17), Australia (2,18), New Zealand (19,20), Canada (4,21), and the United States (22).The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of ovine epididymitis in different regions of Croatia. Serological testing was conducted over a 5-year period (2011 to 2015) annually in rams and in sheep after abortion, and material from rams and aborted fetuses was used to isolate and identify the causative agent using bacteriological and molecular methods.

Diagnostic Findings in a Confirmed Outbreak of Brucella ovis Infection in a Traditional Sheep Farm in Sicily (South-Italy)

“…We found a high seroprevalence in the tested rams (62.5% and 51.8% by ELISA and CFT assays respectively) in contrast to the lower prevalence detected in the ewes (3.5% and 4.9% by ELISA and CFT respectively). In our experience, differently, than other case reports [13][14][15], a high percentage (66.67%) of seropositive rams showed clinical signs and typical lesions.…”