Premium
Epidemiological studies on ovine brucellosis in selected ram flocks
Author(s) -
BURGESS G. W.,
McDONALD J. W.,
NORRIS M. J.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
australian veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1751-0813
pISSN - 0005-0423
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1982.tb02714.x
Subject(s) - flock , brucellosis , complement fixation test , epididymitis , ovis , serology , semen , biology , veterinary medicine , epidemiology , virology , medicine , immunology , antibody , anatomy , genetics
SUMMARY The epidemiology of ovine brucellosis was investigated in 6 ram flocks in which anomalous reactions to the complement fixation test was recorded. It was shown that rams can become infected as young as 4 months of age. Naturally infected animals have an epididymitis and excrete Brucella ovis in their semen or they may only show a serological response for a short time then recover. The base line titres of chronically infected animals stay relatively constant. The importance of abortive infection and possible reinfection is discussed.