Brucellosis Prevalence Among Stray Dogs Population in Yerevan

Abstract

Brucellosis is endemic in Armenia. Test slaughtering is used to fight Brucellosis in large and small ruminants. Cross-contamination among the various types of animals with various types of causative agents may contribute to the permanent existence of the epizootic chain. A study is being conducted to determine whether brucellosis is present among stray dogs in Yerevan (Capital of RA). The Rose Bengal test (RBT), serum agglutination test (SAT), and indirect and competitive ELISA tests were performed on 384 blood samples from stray dogs in Yerevan. The competitive ELISA detects only specific antibodies against B. abortus, B. melitensis, and B. suis and differentiates the Brucella 19 strain. According to the diagnostic algorithm for final diagnosis, positive samples by RBT must be confirmed by two other tests. Out of 384 samples tested by RBT, 17 (4.4 %) were positive. Out of 384 samples, 11 (2.9 %) were positive by SAT, 9 samples (2.3 %) tested positive by indirect ELISA, and 16 samples (4.2 %) tested positive by competitive ELISA. We have shown the presence of Brucella spp. among stray dogs in Yerevan. It is necessary to implement additional studies among dog (particularly shepherd dogs) populations in marzes with a higher prevalence of Brucellosis. These additional results will
provide an opportunity to evaluate the role of dogs in ensuring a stable epizootic chain of Brucellosis among agricultural
animals. They will contribute to a strategy design for preventing the spread of disease.