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Also Known As: '''''Ram Epididymitis''''' – '''''Orchitis''''' – '''''Ovine Contagious Epididymitis''''' – '''''Brucella ovis Epididymitis'''''.
Caused By: ''[[Brucella ovis]]'' and ''[[Brucella melitensis]]''
==Introduction==
==Introduction==
[[File:B ovis.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Bisected testicle form ''B. ovis'' ram showing grossly enlarged epididymis with fibrous tissue bands. Copyright AFSPH Iowa State]]
Ovine brucellosis causes '''reproductive''' disease in sheep, mainly in '''rams'''.
Ovine brucellosis causes '''reproductive''' disease in sheep, mainly in '''rams'''.
B. ovis is the least virulent of all the [[Brucella species]].
''B. ovis'' is the least virulent of all the [[Brucella species|''Brucella'' species]].
The disease is on List B of the ''Office des International des Epizooties'' [www.oie.int/ (OIE)]
The disease is on List B of the ''Office des International des Epizooties'' [www.oie.int/ (OIE)]
==Signalment==
==Signalment==
The disease is unique to sheep.
==Distribution==
==Distribution==
Present in all countries where sheep are intensively farmed.
Present in all countries where sheep are intensively farmed. It is transmitted mainly through '''semen''' but shedding is unreliable.
Ewes can also act as indirect vectors for brucellosis if they mate with both an infected and uninfected ram during the same oestrus cycle.
Ewes can also act as indirect vectors for brucellosis if they mate with both an infected and uninfected ram during the same oestrus cycle.
Abortion materials and vaginal discharge also contain [[Brucella species | brucella]] organisms
Abortion materials and vaginal discharge also contain [[Brucella species |''Brucella'']] organisms
Brucellosis is not considered zoonotic.
Brucellosis is not considered zoonotic.
==Clinical Signs==
==Clinical Signs==
'''Epididymitis''' in rams – '''swelling''' and enlargement of [[Testes and Epididymis - Anatomy & Physiology | '''testes''']], scrotum, [[Penis - Anatomy & Physiology | '''penis''']] and prepuce.
'''Epididymitis''' in rams with '''swelling''' and enlargement of [[Testes and Epididymis - Anatomy & Physiology |'''testes''']], scrotum, [[Penis - Anatomy & Physiology |'''penis''']] and prepuce. Decreased reproductive performance will be noticed due to '''impaired [[Spermatogenesis and Spermiation - Anatomy & Physiology |spermatogenesis]]'''.
Testicular '''atrophy''' occurs in chronic infections.
Occasionally also '''abortion''' in ewes and weak lambs. This only occurs due to placental necrosis in ewes exposed in the first two trimesters of pregnancy.
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
Palpation of the testes is suggestive but not definitive.
Palpation of the testes is suggestive but not definitive.
''Brucella'' organisms can also be '''isolated''' from the epididymis and accessory sex glands at necropsy, although excretion is intermittent so false negatives are not uncommon.
''Brucella'' organisms can also be '''isolated''' from the epididymis and accessory sex glands at necropsy, although excretion is intermittent so false negatives are not uncommon.
[[ELISA testing | '''ELISA''']] and '''Complement Fixation''' are also commonly used for serological diagnosis.
[[ELISA testing |'''ELISA''']] and '''Complement Fixation''' are also commonly used for serological diagnosis.
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
'''Antibiotic''' therapy is very expensive, prolonged and ineffective.
'''Antibiotic''' therapy is very expensive, prolonged and ineffective.
==Control==
==Control==
'''Testing and culling''' of breeding stock is essential to ensure carriers are not present within a flock.
'''Testing and culling''' of breeding stock is essential to ensure carriers are not present within a flock.
No vaccine is available for B. ovis and vaccination against B melitensis can interfere with serological diagnosis.
No vaccine is available for ''B. ovis'' and vaccination against ''B. melitensis'' can interfere with serological diagnosis.
==References==
==References==
Animal Health & Production Compendium, Brucellosis (B ovis) datasheet, accessed 06/06/2011 @ http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/
Animal Health & Production Compendium, Brucellosis (B ovis) datasheet, accessed 06/06/2011 @ http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/
[[Category:To Do - CABI review]]
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[[Category:CABI Expert Review]]
[[Category:Reproductive Diseases - Sheep]][[Category:Reproductive System - Pathology]]
[[Category:Reproductive Diseases - Sheep]][[Category:Reproductive System - Pathology]]