Brucella canis and Public Health Risk

Pregnancy losses in dogs are associated with many types of bacteria. Brucella canis is reported to be one of the most important bacterial species causing pregnancy loss in dogs. Dogs can be infected by 4 out of 6 Brucella species (B. canis, B. abortus, B. melitensis, and B. suis). B. canis is a Gramnegative coccobacillus first isolated by Leland Carmichael and is a cause of infertility in both genders. It causes late abortions in female dogs and epididymitis in male dogs. Generalized lymphadenitis, discospondylitis, and uveitis are shown as the other major symptoms. B. canis infections can easily be formed as a result of the contamination of the oronasal, conjunctival, or vaginal mucosa. Infection can affect all dog breeds and people. While morbidity may be high in infection, mortality has been reported to be low. Most dogs are asymptomatic during infection, and it is difficult to convince their owners that their dogs are sick and should not be used in reproduction. The diagnosis of the disease is quite complex. Serological tests may provide false results or negative results in chronic cases. Therefore, diagnosis should be defined by combining the results of serological studies and bacterial studies to provide the most accurate result. No antibiotic treatment is reported to be 100% effective in B. canis infections, and infected animals are recommended to be removed from other animals and not be used for reproduction for a prolonged period.