Serological and Molecular Identification of Brucella spp. in Pigs from Cairo and Giza Governorates, Egypt

Abstract

Brucellosis is considered as endemic disease of animals and humans since thousands of years in Egypt. However, brucellosis in pigs has never been reported in Egypt. Thus, serological and molecular assays were applied to detect anti-<i>Brucella</i> antibodies and DNA in serum samples collected from pigs. In total 331 blood samples collected from male and female pigs at slaughterhouses of Cairo and Giza governorates were investigated using <i>Brucella</i> c- and i-ELISA and <i>Brucella</i> real-time PCR. Anti-<i>Brucella</i> antibodies were detected in 16 (4.83%) and 36 (10.8%) sera by i-ELISA and c-ELISA, respectively. <i>Brucella</i> DNA was detected in 10 (3.02%) seropositive samples and identified as <i>B</i><i>rucella</i> <i>melitensis</i> (7/10) <i>and</i> <i>B</i><i>rucella</i> <i>suis</i> (3/10). A higher prevelance was found in boars. This is the first study investigating pig brucellosis in Egypt. The results of this study will raise awareness for brucellosis in these farm animals and will help to develop effective control strategies.