Abstract

BALLUT, Juan Carlos; CALDERON, Alfonso  and  RODRIGUEZ, Virginia. BRUCELOSIS IN FEMALE DOGS IN MONTERIA (COLOMBIA): A PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEM. Biosalud [online]. 2013, vol.12, n.2, pp.66-74. ISSN 1657-9550.

Canine brucellosis caused by the rough strain of Brucella canis, constitutes a risk to public health because it produces infertility in both sexes; in female it causes late-term abortions, embryo resorption, embryonic death, vaginal discharges with unpleasant colors and odors, weak newborn puppies; in males it causes epididymitis, orchitis, testicular atrophy and sperm abnormalities; it can also cause illness in humans. Through a descriptive cross section epidemiological study and by calculation for populations, 62 adult canine females of different urban areas of Montería (Córdoba) were selected to determine antibodies against B. canis, using a commercial chromatographic immunoassay test in solid phase. An Excel database format was developed in order to register anamnestic data and laboratory results. In addition, descriptive statistics was employed in this study. The results of this study show that B. canis seroprevalence was 6.45%; 88.71% of the female's reproductive histories was normal; and 11.29% were classified as abnormal by the report of abortions and embryonic resorption; 4.84% of the females with normal reproductive history were seroprevalent while 1.61% of the seroprevalent for B. canis had an abnormal reproductive history. The seroprevalence determined in females dogs suggests that this disease must be considered for its correct diagnosis and the presence of seroreactants is an evidence and an epidemiological risk for public health.

Keywords : antibodies; Brucella canis; seroepidemiological studies.

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