Experimental infection of rabbits (Cuniculis orictolagus) with Brucella suis biovar 1 isolated from wild hares (Lepus europaeus)

FORT M; BALDONE V; FUCHS L; GIMENEZ H ; ROJAS M; BRECCIA JD ; OYHENART J

VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Año: 2012 vol. 156 p. 439 - 442

0378-1135

Brucella suis biovar 1 is the causative agent of brucellosis in several domestic and wild animals and it is a common agent of human brucellosis. European hares (Lepus europaeus) have been shown to be infected by B. suis biovar 1. Transmission of B. suis from hares to other animals has been suggested but there is a lack of experimental evidence. Brucella suis biovar 1 was isolated from hares and experimental infection was performed in rabbits (Cuniculis orictolagus). Infected animals showed high serological response in 2 weeks after discharge. After 50 days, the infected rabbits presented typical granulomatous lesions (2 mm diameter) in liver, spleen and kidneys. Brucella suis biovar 1 was cultured from lesions of these organs samples as well as from urine, placenta and fetuses. These data suggest that hares are a potential source for horizontal transmission of Brucella suis biovar 1 to other mammalians.