Brucellosis in a Camel Herd: The Role of Missed Vaccination and Illegal Imports

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ardakan University, P.O. Box 184, Ardakan, Iran

2 Biology and Animal Reproduction Science and Research Institute, Ardakan University, P.O. Box 184, Ardakan, Iran

3 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ardakan University, P.O. Box 184, Ardakan, Iran.

Abstract

This study aimed to detect the presence of Brucella spp. DNA in aborted camel fetuses from a dairy herd in Meybod, Yazd Province, Iran, using genus-specific PCR. The broader objective was to assess the epidemiological importance of camel brucellosis in a region with limited surveillance and no targeted vaccination programs for camels. A total of 50 aborted fetuses from a single Camelus dromedarius herd were examined. Fetal abomasal contents were collected and tested using Modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining, followed by molecular confirmation via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the IS711 gene of Brucella spp. DNA was extracted using a commercial tissue DNA kit, and PCR conditions were optimized for specificity. Positive and negative controls were included in each PCR run to ensure reliability and prevent contamination. Modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining revealed Brucella-like organisms in 82% (41/50) of the samples. PCR confirmed the presence of Brucella DNA in 92% (46/50) of the fetal tissues, indicating a high prevalence of infection in the herd. While 72% of the samples tested positive in both Modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining and PCR assays, 2% were negative by Modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining but positive by PCR. This study reveals an unusually high rate of Brucella spp. in aborted fetuses from a single camel herd, suggesting an active outbreak likely exacerbated by illegal livestock movement and lack of camel surveillance. Molecular detection confirms infection, although species-level identification was not performed. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted camel vaccination, enhanced molecular surveillance, and stricter control over cross-border animal trade.

Keywords

References

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Veterinary and Comparative Biomedical Research
Volume 2, Issue 2
December 2025
Pages 75-81

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