Sproadic incidence of B. melitensis associated abortion storm in a sheep flock

Abstract

Small ruminants are considered as moving banks of poor farmers and landless labourers in India. Diseases affecting small ruminants are the major factor limiting the productivity and profits of small ruminant farming system in India. Incidence of reproductive diseases associated with Brucella melitensis is rarely reported in the country. The present report is on the incidence of abortion storm in a sheep flock in Namakkal region of Tamil Nadu. Liver and spleen from one aborted foetus and blood samples (31 samples) were collected from sheep in an unorganised sheep farm with the history of abortion in ten ewes within a week time. Seropositivity
of 77.42 % to brucellosis was detected by RBPT (Rose bengal plate test) and B. melitensis infection was confirmed by AMOS – PCR in the aborted foetal and liver samples. High seropositivity and occurrence of abortion storm in the rural sheep farm in India indicated the underlying unnotified circulation of B. melitensis infection in sheep. Periodical serosurveillance, test and slaughter policy, regular immunization of small ruminants with B. melitensis rev 1 vaccine are the possible primary and secondary preventive strategies to
limit the occurrence and spread of brucellosis in small ruminants in India.