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Experimental Brucella ovis infection in mouflon (Ovis musimon)
Domenico Cerri1, Cecilia Ambrogi, Valentina V Ebani
1Dipartimento di Patologia Animale, Profilassi ed lgiene degli Alimenti, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università di Pisa, Viale delle Piagge, 2 I-56124 Pisa, Italy.
Abstract:
Brucella ovis was isolated for the first time in Italy in 1994 from the genital organs of two domestic rams. In subsequent years bacteriologic and serologic investigations demonstrated an increasing distribution of this disease in domestic sheep. Mouflon (Ovis musimon) occur in several hilly and mountainous areas of Italy where they can potentially contact domestic sheep. To determine if this species may have a role in the epidemiology of B. ovis, four male and four female mouflon, serologically negative for B. ovis and other Brucella spp., were infected intra-conjunctivally with B. ovis strain BG1/94. Physical examinations, including collection of blood samples for serology and bacteriology, were performed weekly. The animals were euthanized 8 mo postinoculation (p.i.). Samples of retropharyngeal, parotid, and iliac lymph nodes; bone marrow; kidneys; spleen; epididymis; testicle; bulbourethral glands; seminal vesicles; uterus; and oviducts were collected from each animal as appropriate for histopathology and bacteriology. At the time of euthanasia none of the animals exhibited obvious clinical signs of brucellosis. The animals seroconverted 2 wk p.i. and became seronegative 24 wk p.i. Bacterial cultures, including hemocultures, were negative. No lesions due to B. ovis infection were revealed by histologic examinations. Brucella ovis probably did not infect mouflon and this wild sheep is not likely to play a role in the epidemiology of contagious epididymitis caused by B. ovis.
Insights
Brucella ovis, a cause of ovine epididymitis, was studied in mouflon. This study found that mouflon likely do not become infected with Brucella ovis, suggesting they play no role in its spread.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Wildlife Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Brucella ovis infection has increased in Italian domestic sheep since 1994.
- Mouflon (Ovis musimon) inhabit areas where they can contact infected domestic sheep.
- The potential role of mouflon in Brucella ovis epidemiology is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the susceptibility of mouflon to Brucella ovis infection.
- To determine if mouflon could act as reservoirs or vectors for Brucella ovis.
Main Methods:
- Eight mouflon (4 male, 4 female) were inoculated conjunctivally with Brucella ovis.
- Animals were monitored weekly for serological and bacteriological evidence of infection.
- Post-mortem histopathology and bacteriology were performed 8 months after inoculation.
Main Results:
- All mouflon seroconverted within 2 weeks but became seronegative by 24 weeks post-inoculation.
- Bacterial cultures from blood and tissues were consistently negative.
- No Brucella ovis-related lesions were identified during histopathological examination.
Conclusions:
- Mouflon demonstrated transient serological responses but did not develop persistent infection or pathology.
- Brucella ovis likely does not establish infection in mouflon.
- Mouflon are unlikely to play a significant role in the epidemiology of Brucella ovis in Italy.