Resumo
ABSTRACT Equine brucellosis is caused by Brucella abortus and most commonly manifests as fistulous withers in horses, which can be a source of exposure to humans. Infection by B. abortus in horses occurs mainly through contact with infected bovines. The aim of the present study was to estimate the frequency of antibodies against antigens of B. abortus in equidaes from the Zona da Mata region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. A total of 477 serum samples from healthy equines were examined by the acidified antigen modification test stained with rose-bengal (card test) and the 2-mercaptoethanol test. Using the card test, 8.18% samples (39/477) showed positive reactions, while no sample was positive using the 2mercaptoethanol test. These results show that the agent is not present in the studied population.
RESUMO A brucelose equina é causada pela Brucella abortus e se manifesta principalmente através de fístulas na região da cernelha, que podem ser fonte de infecção para humanos. A infecção por B. abortus em equídeos ocorre principalmente pelo contato com bovinos infectados. O objetivo do presente estudo foi estimar a frequência de anticorpos contra B. abortus em equideos procedentes da região da Zona da Mata do Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Um total de 477 amostras de soros provenientes de equídeos saudáveis foram examinados por meio da prova do Antígeno Acidificado Tamponado (AAT) e do 2-Mercaptoetanol (2-ME). Na prova de AAT, 8,18% dos soros (39/477) apresentaram reação positiva, enquanto que nenhum desses reagiu na prova do 2-ME. Esses resultados demonstram que o agente não está presente na população estudada.
Resumo
Fistulous wither secretions from three horses were tested by the plate agglutination (PAT), tube agglutination (SAT), buffered plate-Rose Bengal (RBPT) and 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) tests, comparatively with standard agglutination tests. In the modified tests, titers were increased in the PAT, SAT and 2-ME tests and positive reaction was observed in RBPT. Brucella abortus was isolated from the secretion of fistulous withers collected from one animal. These results suggest that the modified tests may be used as alternative tests to diagnose brucellosis in horses with fistulous withers.(AU)