Brucellosis in Cows & Buffaloes

What is brucellosis?

Brucellosis is a bacterial disease of cows and buffaloes, caused mainly by Brucella abortus. It is a major cause of abortion and poor fertility in dairy herds. An infected animal can stay infected for life, and it may look completely healthy.

Large numbers of bacteria are released with an aborted calf, the afterbirth and the fluids from the uterus. Other animals pick up the infection by licking or eating contaminated material, feed or water. Infected animals can also pass bacteria in their milk.

Brucellosis can pass to people, mainly through raw milk and through contact with aborted calves, afterbirth and discharges, so wear gloves when handling these or samples, wash your hands well, and see a doctor if you have fever or joint pain.

Signs to watch for

Common signs include:

• Abortion, often in the later months of pregnancy
• Afterbirth that does not come out
• Weak or dead calves
• Repeat breeding and poor fertility
• A drop in milk yield
• Swollen testicles in bulls, or swollen knee joints

Which lab tests help

The Brucellosis Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) is a quick screening test on serum, the clear part of blood. It looks for antibodies, the proteins the body makes against Brucella. Positive results are normally confirmed with another test, such as the Brucellosis Standard Tube Agglutination Test (STAT), which gives an antibody level, or the Brucellosis Indirect ELISA (iELISA), which can be done on serum or milk. The Brucellosis Test (RBPT / ELISA) is the lab's general brucellosis test; the lab confirms the method when you book.

For herd screening, the Milk Ring Test (Brucellosis Screening) checks milk for antibodies, and positives are confirmed with blood tests. The Brucella abortus / melitensis RT-PCR looks for the bacteria's genetic material in milk, vaginal discharge, aborted material or blood. After an abortion, the Abortion Investigation Panel for Cattle & Buffalo looks for several common causes; the exact tests are confirmed when you book, and many abortions stay unexplained.

Vaccination can cause positive antibody results in some animals, so tell your vet about the herd's vaccination history. A negative result does not always rule infection out, especially early on, so your vet may repeat tests. A registered veterinarian interprets every result together with the herd's signs and history, and positive animals are managed under veterinary and government guidance.

When to see your vet

Call your vet after any abortion. Do not touch the aborted calf or afterbirth with bare hands, and keep other animals away from them. Ask your vet about vaccination.

Testing in Bhopal

Pashupatinath Vet Lab in Shahpura, Bhopal provides free sample collection anywhere in Bhopal. The Breeding & Pregnancy Pack and the Herd Screening Pack both include a brucellosis test. From other districts, samples can be sent through your local vet, by courier or by bus parcel; the lab coordinates by phone or WhatsApp on +91 88175 01118. The lab confirms the method, sample needs and reporting time when you book.