Small mammals and white-tailed deer as possible reservoir hosts of Brucella abortus in Texas

Four hundred sixty-eight wild mammals were collected from four ranches in Texas where Brucella-infected cattle herds are maintained, and examined as possible reservoir hosts for Brucella abortus. Seventy-one serums from five species were tested for Brucella antibodies. Liver and spleen from 453 mammals (14 species) were cultured for B. abortus. Results of the serologic and bacteriologic examination of rodents, opossums (Didelphis virginiana), raccoons (Procyon lotor) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) did not provide evidence of an extrabovine reservoir of B. abortus.