Serological and Molecular Detection of Bovine Brucellosis

Introduction :

Bovine brucellosis, also known as bovine brucella infection or bovine brucellosis, is a specific form of brucellosis that affects cattle and other bovine species. The disease is caused by the bacterium Brucella abortus, which primarily infects reproductive tissues in cattle. It can lead to significant economic losses in the livestock industry and poses a zoonotic risk, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans… Read more

Bovine Brucellosis diagnostic :

Rapid and precise diagnosis in natural field cases of bovine abortion caused by Brucella abortus warrants the use of the most sensitive and reliable diagnostic methods. In the present study, bacterial isolation, serology, gross, histopathology, immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction technique(s) were applied. Sero-prevalence studies showed the rate of 28.86% positive cases using the competitive ELISA.

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Molecular Detection: Molecular methods focus on detecting the genetic material (DNA or RNA) of the Brucella bacteria. These methods are highly specific and sensitive, enabling early detection, even before antibodies develop. Common molecular techniques for bovine brucellosis include:

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): PCR amplifies specific DNA sequences of Brucella, allowing for rapid and accurate detection. Different variations, like real-time PCR, multiplex PCR, and nested PCR, can be employed.
Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP): LAMP is an isothermal amplification technique that rapidly generates a large amount of DNA. It’s particularly useful for field settings.
Quantitative PCR (qPCR): qPCR measures the amount of amplified DNA in real-time, providing a quantification of the pathogen present in the sample.
Reverse Transcription PCR (RT-PCR): RT-PCR is used to detect RNA, which is useful for identifying active infections or studying gene expression in Brucella.

Serological Detection: Serological methods involve the detection of specific antibodies produced by the host in response to the Brucella infection. These tests are valuable for identifying both current and past infections. Common serological tests for bovine brucellosis include:

Rose Bengal Test (RBT): This is a rapid and widely used screening test that detects antibodies in serum or milk. It involves mixing the test sample with a suspension of killed Brucella cells and observing for agglutination (clumping).
Complement Fixation Test (CFT): The CFT measures the ability of serum antibodies to fix complement in the presence of Brucella antigen. It is a confirmatory test used after a positive RBT result.
Serum Agglutination Test (SAT): Similar to RBT, SAT detects agglutination of Brucella cells with serum antibodies. It is used for confirmation and titration of antibodies.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA): ELISA is a versatile and sensitive test that detects specific antibodies. Different variations, like indirect, competitive, or competitive ELISAs, can be used for serological diagnosis.
Fluorescence Polarization Assay (FPA): FPA measures changes in fluorescence polarization caused by antigen-antibody reactions. It’s an automated and efficient method.

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