Ovine epididymitis - a neglected notifiable disease in Germany: a case report

Ovine contagious epididymitis is an infectious disease caused by Brucella ovis. Its occurrence in EU member states must be reported to the relevant authorities. Although it is considered endemic in parts of Europe and other sheep-rearing regions world-wide, the disease is rarely reported. Hence, detailed information about the epidemiological situation and transmission events in Europe remains scarce. Unlike other forms of Brucella infection, B. ovis is not transmissible to humans, making it primarily an economic and animal health problem. Nevertheless, the same control measures can be applied for outbreaks of ovine epididymitis and livestock brucellosis caused by other Brucella species in Germany.

In 2024 B. ovis was isolated from two stillborn lambs found dead in Germany. Immunohistochemistry detected Brucella antigen in the pulmonary airways of both lambs. Additionally, one lamb exhibited necrotizing hepatitis of the liver. One B. ovis isolate was sequenced and genotyped, revealing genomic similarity to other European B. ovis strains. Two rams from the same flock tested serologically positive for B. ovis, but none of the ewes with a history of abortion did. There was also no increase in the rate of abortions or stillbirths in this flock. Following the slaughter of two of the tested rams in 2025, the testicles and epididymides of both animals were examined and B. ovis could be detected by immunohistochemistry and PCR in some of the tissues, although no isolate could be obtained.

Little is known about the prevalence of ovine epididymitis in Germany. The case presented here suggests that the disease is likely underdiagnosed and therefore underreported. Although the pathogen is not zoonotic, awareness of B. ovis infections should nevertheless be raised to improve animal welfare.