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- Caused by Brucella abortus
- Eradicated in many countries including UK
- Infection usually by ingestions but also venereal, skin abrasions, inhalation, transplacental
- Abortion storms in susceptible herds
- Abortion after fifth month of gestation due to placentitis
- Brucellae excreted in foetal fluids for 2-4 weeks following abortion and at subsequent parturitions without abortion
- Infection of mammary glands and lymph nodes persists for years
- Excreted intermittently in milk for years
- Seminal vesicles, ampullae, testicles and epididymus infected in bulls; necrotising orchitis
- Decreased fertility in cows and bulls; decreased milk production
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.
Control
Test and slaughter program has eradicated bovine brucellosis in the UK.