Molecular Detection of Brucella ovis in Aborted Ewes in Sulaimani Governorate

Abstract

Abortion causes substantial economic losses in sheep flocks. In addition to financial compensation, abortion is a sharp aspect of public health. Brucella, Campylobacter, Salmonella and Chlamydia are the most examples of diseases associated with the abortion of ewes. Brucellosis is a zoonotic bacterial infection produced by a variety of species of Brucella. It has a significant economic impact on domestic animals, primarily ewes. The current study investigated Brucella ovis from aborted fetuses and vaginal swab samples collected from sheep flocks in the Sulaimani governorate by the polymerase chain reaction. Thirty-eight aborted fetuses and 70 vaginal swabs were collected from sheep flocks in three districts of Sulaimani governorate (Kalar, Chamchamal and Said Sadiq) from March 2018 to June 2019. The pathogen was identified in clinical specimens using conventional PCR. Brucella ovis was isolated from 26 of 38 aborted fetuses (68.4%) and 21 of 70 vaginal swabs (30 %) of aborted ewes. The Brucella ovis gene ompA was sequenced, and phylogenetic analysis of the ompA gene sequences revealed that Brucella ovis isolated established a distinct branch and a lower relationship of Brucella ovis to the Brucella melitensis species. It has been concluded that Brucella ovis is the most pathogenic Brucella species and a major cause of ewe's abortion in the Sulaimani governorate.