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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #71389
Title: PLACENTITIS IN BEAGLES FOLLOWING INGESTION OF THE VACCINE BRUCELLA ABORTUS STRAIN RB51

Author
item Palmer, Mitchell
item CHEVILLE, NORMAN - IA STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: American College of Veterinary Pathologists Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/2/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Placental and fetal infection may occur in bovine and bison cows vaccinated with the newly approved brucellosis vaccine, B. abortus strain RB51 (RB51). A model was developed to determine the potential for placentitis, infection and shedding in canids which may ingest RB51 infected placental membranes. Male (n=3), nonpregnant (n=3) and pregnant female (n=4) Beagles were fed 1x10(12)CFU RB51 in canned dog food. Urine and feces were collected at multiple time points for bacterial culture. Nonpregnant bitches and males were examined 7 wks postingestion while pregnant bitches were examined at full term. No lesions were seen in non-pregnant bitches, however, placentitis with accompanying placental and fetal infection were seen in 1/3 pregnant bitches. Placentitis was characterized by erosions and ulcerations of the spongy zone covered by infiltrates of neutrophils. Infiltrates of neutrophils, lymphocytes and plasma cells expanded the submucosa and extended into the myometrium. RB51 was recovered from all dogs in all groups in oropharyngeal lymph nodes and 3/10 spleens. At no time was RB51 recovered from urine or feces. Thus, ingestion of RB51 can result in infection and placentitis with the potential of spread to other hosts following whelping. The potential for spread in urine or feces, however, is low.