Detecção molecular de DNA de Brucella abortus em sêmen bovino in natura

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify the presence of Brucella abortus in bovine semen specimens from central collection and processing sites and farms. The bovine semen was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), serum blood samples and seminal plasma were analyzed and by serological tests Rose Bengal test (RBT) and semen plasma agglutination (SPA), respectively. In Brucella abortus positive bulls, the use of PCR differentiated between field and vaccine strain B19. Semen samples in nature, blood serum and seminal plasma of 100 bulls were used. Of the 100 samples analyzed by PCR for the presence of Brucella abortus DNA, 68% were positive. Of the 68% positive, all were shown to be from the B19 vaccine. In serological testing of the bovines, all were negative by RBT testing, and 11% showed positive agglutination in SPA. The testing showed that none of the bovine specimens were positive for all three tests used. Therefore, we conclude that even bulls testing seronegative for Brucella abortus can eliminate the bacteria in the semen.