Korean Journal of Veterinary Research  2014;54(4):197-201

doi:10.14405/kjvr.2014.54.4.197

Serological monitoring on brucellosis in livestock of Korea.

So Ra SUNG 1 ; Ji Yeon KIM ; Moon HER ; Kichan LEE ; Sung Il KANG ; Hyang Keun LEE ; Hyo Rim CHO ; Jin Ju LEE ; Suk Chan JUNG

Affiliations

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Keywords

brucellosis; competitive-ELISA; rose-Bengal test; serological test; standard tube agglutination test

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

In Korea, brucellosis has been reported periodically in cattle and rarely in dogs; however, it has not previously been screened in domestic animals such as elk, pigs and goats. To investigate the serological prevalence, serum samples were taken from the aforementioned animals annually during 2007-2013 and screened by the rose-bengal test (RBT) or modified RBT, after which positive sera were evaluated by the standard tube agglutination test (STAT). Finally, RBT and STAT-positive sera were confirmed by competitive-ELISA. Brucella abortus biovar 1 was isolated from three elk that were shown to be positive serologically in 2008. There was no evidence of brucellosis in pigs. Based on serological monitoring and investigation of etiological agents, there is no evidence of outbreak of brucellosis in elk, pigs or goats of Korea since 2008. However, the possibility for brucellosis from cattle to affect these other livestock exists; therefore, extensive and continuous serological monitoring is required to maintain their brucellosis-free status.