Brucella abortus
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| Brucella abortus | |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Proteobacteria |
| Class | Alpha Proteobacteria |
| Order | Rhizobiales |
| Family | Brucellaceae |
| Genus | Brucella |
| Species | B.abortus |
Brucella abortus is a species of the Brucella bacteria genus and causes bovine brucellosis. It mainly affects cattle, where transmission is by ingestion and abortion occurs in the last half of pregnancy. The placenta is covered by fibrinonecrotic tissue and the foetus often shows bronchopneumonia.
B.abortus uncommonly localises in joints, usually in carpal bursitis (hygroma) in cattle and bursitis in horses. Also in spleen and lymphatic tissue of non-pregnant animals. It has been isolated from closed cases of poll evil and fistulous withers in horses.
Control
Vaccination of heifers against B. abortus in endemic regions by Strain S19, a live attenuated vaccine, stimulating a cell-mediated immune response. The vaccination of young animals interferes with serological testing. The 45/20 bacterin vaccine is less effective and the newer RB51 vaccine has no LPS O-antigen therefore not detected by serological tests and gives good protection.