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Updated: Jul 20, 2026
Microscopy-based Assays for High-throughput Screening of Host Factors Involved in Brucella Infection of Hela Cells
Published on: August 5, 2016
Molecular and serological survey of Brucella spp. among rodents in western Iran
Majid Hemati1, Mohammad Khalili2, Saber Esmaeili3,4
1Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.
Introduction And Purpose:
Brucellosis is a prevalent bacterial zoonosis globally, affecting a broad range of hosts. The role of rodents in the survival and transmission of Brucella species to humans remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Brucella infection among wild rodents in western Iran, specifically in KabudarAhang County within Hamadan Province.
Materials And Methods:
Sampling was conducted across various regions of KabudarAhang County in western Iran between April 2014 and September 2017. Serological testing was performed using the standard tube agglutination method while molecular investigation was carried out through real-time PCR analysis. Subsequently, molecularly positive samples underwent species identification via conventional PCR.
Results:
Serological testing revealed 7 positive samples (1.76%), including four Meriones persicus, one Mus musculus, one Meriones libycus, and one Spermophilus fulvus. In the molecular survey, three samples (0.68%) tested positive for Brucella; these included one M. musculus and two M. persicus. The molecular species identification test detected B. abortus in M. musculus among those positive for Brucella.
Conclusion:
These findings suggest that wild rodents may play an overlooked role in the maintenance of pathogenic Brucella species in natural environments. Furthermore, in situations where standard diagnostic guidelines for brucellosis in wildlife are not well established, employing multiple testing approaches is crucial for accurate detection.
