Anti-Brucella abortus antibodies in equids in the state of Goiás, Brazil.
Authors: Martins A S, Romanowski T N A, Campos J S, Vieira R C, Silva T A, Borsanelli A C
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Brucella abortus Seropositivity in Brazilian Equids Brucellosis remains an economically and epidemiologically significant zoonotic disease with limited visibility in equine populations, particularly in regions where cattle brucellosis control programmes are established. Researchers across Goiás state screened 897 equids (horses, donkeys and mules) from 299 farms using rose bengal plate agglutination testing followed by 2-mercaptoethanol confirmation, identifying a seroprevalence of 4.46% (40 confirmed positive animals), with horses representing 87.5% of positive cases and mules 12.5%; notably, no donkeys tested positive. The dispersed geographical distribution of seropositive animals across the state, combined with the finding that 82.35% of affected herds contained only a single reactive animal, strongly suggests incidental transmission from infected cattle rather than established equine-to-equine transmission cycles. Whilst no statistical associations emerged between age, sex, species, purpose or management factors and seropositivity, the zoonotic nature of Brucella abortus and demonstrated potential for cross-species infection underscore the importance of integrated surveillance and biosecurity protocols spanning both cattle and equine populations, particularly where equids share grazing or facilities with potentially infected herds.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Brucellosis is present in equid populations across Goiás and should be considered in differential diagnosis for horses presenting with fistulous withers or reduced performance
- •Since most affected herds contain single positive animals, implement biosecurity measures to prevent transmission from cattle herds to equine populations through feed, water, and contact contamination
- •Integrated herd health protocols should address both cattle and equine brucellosis screening due to zoonotic risk and cross-species infection potential
Key Findings
- •Seroprevalence of Brucella abortus in equids in Goiás state was 4.46% (40/897 animals confirmed positive by 2-ME test)
- •87.5% of seropositive animals were horses, 12.5% were mules, with no positive donkeys detected
- •82.35% of affected herds (28/34) contained only one reactive animal, suggesting transmission from infected cattle rather than horse-to-horse spread
- •No significant association found between age, species, sex, purpose, or stratum and seropositivity