Molecular Epidemiology of Brucella abortus among Buffaloes in Western Rajasthan

Brucellosis is a widespread reproductive disease which is clinically manifested as abortion, stillborn or weak calves, neonatal mortality, retained placenta, delayed conception, infertility, and marked reduction in milk yield of livestock. The present study was conducted to detect the presence of Brucella abortus in the clinical cases of reproductive disorders among the buffaloes in Western Rajasthan. A total of 33 vaginal samples including swabs (25) and discharges (8) were collected from buffaloes with a clinical history of reproductive failures, and screened using Brucella genus specific bcsp31 gene based PCR followed by Brucella abortus species specific IS711 based PCR. The results revealed 6.45% of the clinical samples positive for the presence of Brucella spp., including 8.00% of vaginal swabs and none of the vaginal discharges. All the samples detected positive in genus specific PCR were detected positive for the presence of Brucella abortus. The present investigation confirmed the involvement of Brucella abortus in the clinical cases of reproductive disorders in buffaloes in this region highlighting the need for implementation of control measures.