Serological and bacteriological responses of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) vaccinated with two doses of Brucella abortus strain RB51 vaccine

Brucella abortus Strain RB51 Administered to Prepubescent Water Buffaloes, from Vaccination to Lactation: Kinetics of Antibody Response and Vaccine Safety

Brucella RB51 is a live modified vaccine. Its use in water buffalo has been proposed using a vaccination protocol different to that used for cattle, but knowledge of the long-term effects of RB51 vaccination in this species remains incomplete. The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and kinetics of antibody responses in water buffaloes vaccinated according to the protocol described for the bovine species in the WOAH Manual, modified with the use of a triple dose. Water buffaloes were vaccinated with the vaccine RB51. A booster vaccination was administered at 12 months of age. When turning 23-25 months old, female animals were induced to pregnancy. RB51-specific antibodies were detected and quantified using a CFT based on the RB51 antigen. Vaccinated animals showed a positive serological reaction following each vaccine injection, but titers and the duration of the antibody differed among animals. For 36 weeks after booster vaccination, the comparison of CFT values between vaccinated and control groups remained constantly significant. Afterwards, antibody titers decreased. No relevant changes in antibody response were recorded during pregnancy or lactation. In conclusion, results indicated that the vaccination schedule applied is safe and allows for vaccinated and unvaccinated controls to be discriminated between for up to 8 months after booster vaccination.

Brucellosis in water buffaloes

ABSTRACT: The domestication of water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) originated in India and China and spread throughout the world and represents an important source of food of high biological value. Given the importance and relevance of brucellosis for buffalo production, this article reviews the history, etiopathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical signs, anatomopathological findings, diagnosis and control of the disease, focusing on data from studies on water buffaloes performed in different countries and the Brazilian Amazon biome.

Infecção transplacentária e intrauterina por Brucella abortus em búfalos (Bubalus bubalis)

RESUMO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a presença de Brucella abortus e as lesões causadas por esse agente nos anexos fetais e nos fetos de búfalas. Para isso, 20 búfalas em diversos meses de gestação, sorologicamente positivas para brucelose, foram submetidas ao abate sanitário. A idade fetal foi determinada através de exames ultrassonográficos associados à mensuração dos fetos durante a necropsia. Do útero fechado desses animais foram coletadas amostras para histopatologia e qPCR. A partir do segundo mês de gestação foi possível detectar a presença de DNA de B. abortus em líquido amniótico, líquido alantoide e em útero e, a partir do quinto mês, na placenta, coração, baço, rim, pulmão, intestino, fígado e linfonodos dos fetos. Os principais achados anatomopatológicos foram placentite fibrinopurulenta necrótica e endometrite supurativa crônica.