Abstract

Objective: To detect the evidences of significant exposure of dogs with Brucella canis (B. canis) and other Brucella species in southeast of Iran by serological assays. Methods: Blood samples were prepared from 62 privately owned and 33 kenneled dogs and screened by indirect immunoflorescence assay for B. canis. Rose Bengal test (RBT) and standard tube test (SAT) or wright test were used for screening the other Brucella species. Results: Serological evidences of exposure to B. canis were found in 15.8% of the studied dogs, whereas RBT and SAT showed 29.5% and 12.6% seropositivity, respectively. Conclusions: This study shows that B. canis is endemic in southeastern of Iran and canine brucellosis can be considered as a new emerging disease. Moreover, our results demonstrate that dogs will be at high risk in brucellosis-infected farms. Therefore, further investigations must be performed to evaluate the seroprevalence and zoonotic potential of this disease in different geographical parts of Iran.

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