Isolation and Identification ofBrucella melitensisBiovar 3 from Vaccinated Small Ruminants: A Public Health Threat in Kosovo

Abstract

In 2011, a human brucellosis case with severe clinical symptoms was reported at the University Clinic for Infectious Diseases in Prishtina, Kosovo. A trace-back investigation was conducted to find the source of human infection. A total of 49 blood samples and 15 corresponding milk samples from sheep and goats raised on the patient's farm were taken for serological and molecular analysis. Serology using RBT and CFT revealed 11 positive animals. Twelve milk samples were PCR positive. A Brucella strain isolated from a goat's milk sample was classified as Brucella melitensis biovar 3, indicating the first ever isolation and report in Kosovo. The use of the Bruce-ladder PCR provided differentiation between the field strain and the vaccine strain. Hence, the accidental transmission of the vaccine strain Rev 1 that was previously used for the vaccination of the farm animals could be excluded. The findings of this study show that brucellosis is still a public health threat in Kosovo despite control measures.

Moving past serology: Diagnostic options without serum

“…Shedding of the organism is intermittent, thus infection was not always detected by PCR and serological tests might also be required. In contrast, PCR testing of milk for B. melintensis detected was more sensitive than serology in one study (Hamidi et al, 2015). Accurate serological classification of the M. agalactiae status of sheep is difficult and PCR testing of milk specimens with two PCRs should be used to confirm the presence of the organism.…”

“…In sheep, Q-fever (Coxiella burnetii; Klaasen et al, 2014), Brucella melintensis (Hamidi et al, 2015) and Mycoplasma agalactiae (Poumarat et al, 2012) can be tested for using milk; in goats, milk specimens can be used to test for caprine arthritis and encephalitis (Nagel-Alne et al, 2015). Q-fever outbreaks in humans are associated with C. burnetii infection in small milking ruminants in Africa (Klaasen et al, 2014).…”

Analyzing consumer perceptions about food safety by applying the food-related lifestyle approach

“…Similar to other countries in the Western Balkans, Kosovo is also experiencing numerous disease outbreaks and endemic problems. Brucellosis, which can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of agricultural products from infected animals, poses a threat to public health (Tolaj et al , 2014 ; Zeqiri et al , 2015 ; Hamidi et al , 2016 ). Furthermore, the presence of mycotoxins and aflatoxins in maize for animal feed (Bhat and Vasanthi, 2003 ; Schatzmayr and Streit, 2013 ; van Asselt et al , 2017) has been a serious concern for small dairy farmers in Kosovo.…”