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Also Known As: '''''Ram Epididymitis''''' — '''''Orchitis''''' — '''''Ovine Contagious Epididymitis''''' — '''''Brucella ovis Epididymitis'''''.
Caused By: ''[[Brucella ovis]]'' and ''[[Brucella melitensis]]''
==Introduction==
Ovine brucellosis causes '''reproductive''' disease in sheep, mainly in '''rams'''.
''B. ovis'' is the least virulent of all the [[Brucella species|''Brucella'' species]].
The disease is on List B of the ''Office International des Epizooties'' [http://www.oie.int/ (OIE)]
It is therefore '''notifiable''' to the OIE.
==Signalment==
The disease is unique to sheep.
==Distribution==
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.
Abortion materials and vaginal discharge also contain [[Brucella species |''Brucella'']] organisms
Brucellosis is not considered zoonotic.
==Clinical Signs==
'''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==
Palpation of the testes is suggestive but not definitive.
Specific '''immunofluorescent''' staining of semen smears is confirmatory.
''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.
==Treatment==
'''Antibiotic''' therapy is very expensive, prolonged and ineffective.
==Control==
'''Testing and culling''' of breeding stock is essential to ensure carriers are not present within a flock.
Vaccination is available against both ''Brucella'' species, but ''B. ovis'' vaccines are only widely used in New Zealand.
Any vaccination will interfere wih serological diagnosis and this should be considered.
{{Learning
|literature search = [http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?q=title%3A+%28Ovine+Brucellosis%29/ Ovine Brucellosis Publications]
|flashcards = [[Ovine Brucellosis Flashcards]]
}}
==References==
<references/>
{{CABI source
|datasheet = [http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/?compid=3&dsid=90731&loadmodule=datasheet&page=2144&site=160 brucellosis (''Brucella ovis'')]
|date =6 June 2011
}}
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[[Category:CABI Expert Review]][[Category:CABI AHPC Pages]]
[[Category:Reproductive Diseases - Sheep]][[Category:Reproductive System - Pathology]]