Isolation and Identification of Brucella Using PCR in Indigenous Dogs in the County of Neyshabur and the Suburbs

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

1 Department of Clinical Sciences, Bab.C., Islamic Azad University, Babol, Iran

2 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

10.32598/ARI.81.2.3775

Abstract

Introduction: Brucellosis is a chronic zoonotic disease caused by Brucella species that continues to pose major public health and veterinary challenges, particularly in endemic regions. While ruminants are traditionally recognized as the primary reservoirs, the role of domestic dogs, especially those in close contact with livestock, remains underexplored. This study investigated the presence of Brucella melitensis in indigenous dogs in Neyshabur and its surrounding rural areas using a combination of serological, bacteriological, and molecular diagnostic methods.
Materials & Methods: A total of 100 blood samples were collected from herding and stray dogs. Initial screening by the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) identified 31 seropositive samples. These samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using both genus-specific (B4/B5) and species-specific (B. melitensis) primers.
Results: Only three samples (9.7% of RBPT-positive cases), all from herding dogs, were PCRpositive for B. melitensis, and none were positive among stray dogs. The isolated organisms were further characterized and confirmed as B. melitensis Biovar 1 through biotyping. No significant association was found between infection and sex, while a statistically significant relationship was observed between infection status and dog type (P=0.013), indicating a higher risk among herding dogs.
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that dogs involved in herding activities may serve as epidemiological bridges between infected livestock and other animals or humans. The findings underscore the limitations of serological testing alone due to the possibility of false positives and support the inclusion of PCR as a critical tool for definitive diagnosis. Enhanced molecular surveillance of brucellosis in companion and working dogs is recommended for effective disease control and to minimize zoonotic risk in endemic regions like northeastern Iran.

Keywords

Archives of Razi Institute
Volume 81, Issue 2
March and April 2026
Pages 477-484

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