Identification of a small-scale pig farm infected with Brucella suis linked to a clinical case of human brucellosis in Buenos Aires province, Argentina

BENCE, ANGEL RICARDO; MORAN, MARÍA CELESTE; CACCIATO, CLAUDIO SANTIAGO; SOTO, JAVIER; GUTIERREZ, SILVINA ELENA; ESTEIN, SILVIA MARCELA

Revista Fave Ciencias Veterinarias

UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DEL LITORAL

Lugar: SANTA FE; Año: 2021 vol. 20 p. 34 - 40

1666-938X

Here we report a case of human brucellosis due to Brucella suis in a person who worked in a small-scale pig farm. The farm had no history of clinical brucellosis, and signs of the disease were not observed upon clinical examination of the animals. Serum from all the 3 boars, 16/22 sows and 9/25 gilts was obtained for serological examination by Buffered Plate Agglutination Test (BPAT), Rose Bengal Test (RBT) and Fluorescent Polarization Assay (FPA). Bacteriological culture and Direct Fluorescence Antibody Test (DFAT) were performed in tissue samples from a seropositive boar and a sow. Specific antibodies were detected in 53 % (10/19) adult pigs, while all sampled gilts were seronegative. B. suis biovar 1 was isolated from one boar. In contrast, while the bacterium was not isolated from any tissue from a seropositive sow, it was detected by DFAT. From the bacteriological and serological evidence of B. suis endemic infection in the pig farm and the lack of preventive measures and biosecurity practices, it is concluded that the person most likely acquired the disease from the infected animals or by contact with contaminated environment in the farm.