Evaluation of serological techniques against Brucella abortus in water Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

ZIMMER, P.A.; BENITEZ, D.; DRAGHI, M.G.; CRUDELI, G. ; BIOTTI, G.M.; KONRAD, J.L.

Buenos Aires

Conferencia; Brucellosis 2011. International Reseach Conference; 2011

Asociación Argentina de Microbiología

Brucellosis is a disease caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. Brucella abortus infects cattle, causing production loss of national and international markets, and also can be transmitted to humans. In Corrientes, Chaco and Formosa provinces there are 8 million hectares suitable for the breeding of water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis); in this area cattle and buffaloes are bred together. It is well know that buffaloes are also susceptible to brucellosis. In Argentina, for instance, B. abortus biotype 1 was isolated from those animals. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of serological techniques for diagnosis of brucellosis in Water Buffaloes. 1736 buffaloes were bled. Sera were frozen at - 20 °C until processing. The techniques used were: Plate Buffered Antigen (BPA), Complement Fixation (CF) and Fluorescence Polarization Assay (FPA). Kappa analyses were calculated for each test. For BPA/FPA 1714 sera, from 19 farms was tested; agreement was Kappa 0,730 (IC 95% 0,682-0,777) p