Use of polymerase chain reaction to detect Brucella abortus biovar 1 in infected goats

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to diagnose goat brucellosis a nd compare its sensitivity against some of the most commonly used serologic al and bacteriological techniques. Twenty two female and one male out of 30 0 clinically healthy, mixed-breed goats were randomly chosen from a ranch l ocated at Marin, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Milk and blood samples were taken from each animal and used to obtain both microbiological cultures and DNA of th e pathogen, and sera was tested against Rose Bengal antigen (RBT). Results showed that 86% of the blood samples were positive on the PCR test, while 6 0% were positive on the serological test. The pathogen was isolated from on ly one blood culture, Sixty four percent of the milk samples were positive on PCR tests, but failed to yield bacteria in culture, Biochemical and PCR specific assay demonstrated that Brucella abortus biovar 1 was associated w ith the infection. This study demonstrates the higher sensitivity of PCR ov er RBT and blood culture and its potential towards a rapid identification o f Brucella strains, (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.