Comprehensive epidemiological baseline for Brucella spp. in south african wild mammals with molecular differentiation of B. abortus and B. melitensis
Guardat en:
| Autors: | , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | artículo original |
| Estat: | Versión publicada |
| Data de publicació: | 2026 |
| Descripció: | Brucellosis is a globally significant zoonosis, yet its ecology in wildlife remains poorly understood. This study investigated Brucella spp. circulation among wild mammals across several protected areas in South Africa. Organ and serum samples from 588 animals representing 23 species were analyzed using a conservative diagnostic strategy. This approach combined serological tests, the Rose Bengal Test and indirect ELISA conducted in parallel, with four PCR-based assays performed in series, to enhance specificity and interpretative confidence. Molecular detection revealed Brucella spp. DNA in several atypical, seronegative host species, including plains zebra (Equus quagga), hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), African elephant (Loxodonta africana), giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), warthog (Phacochoerus africanus), cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), and African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), expanding the known host range. In the Greater Kruger National Park, African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) exhibited high seroprevalence (24/106; 23%, CI: 15-32%) and even higher molecular prevalence (29/57; 51%, CI: 37-64%), supporting their role as primary wildlife reservoir for B. abortus. Brucella abortus was successfully isolated from the spleen and lymph nodes of three African buffalo and characterized through whole genome sequencing, revealing close genetic relatedness to strains circulating in South American cattle. Additionally, B. abortus was isolated from a plains zebra in Lapalala Wilderness Reserve and characterized by PCR and Multiple-Locus Variable Number Tandem Repeat Analysis, demonstrating similarity to both South African buffalo and South American cattle strains. PCR evidence of B. abortus and B. melitensis coinfections were identified in 17 animals across seven species. Notably, B. melitensis was detected in species (hippo, elephant, wild dog) not typically associated with small ruminants, suggesting complex interspecies transmission. These findings highlight the importance of wildlife in the epidemiology of Brucella spp. in South Africa. Molecular tools and culture proved essential, as serological tests failed to detect infection in most cases, emphasizing the need for continued molecular surveillance. |
| Pais: | Portal de Revistas UNA |
| Institution: | Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica |
| Repositorio: | Portal de Revistas UNA |
| Idioma: | Inglés |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:www.revistas.una.ac.cr:article/22823 |
| Accés en línia: | https://www.revistas.una.ac.cr/index.php/veterinaria/article/view/22823 |
| Paraula clau: | Brucellosis Wildlife South Africa |