An overview of Brucella ovis infection in New Zealand

Authors: Ridler AL
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 50, Issue 3 Supplement, pp 96-98, Jun 2002
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Deer, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Animal remedies/veterinary medicines, Bacterial, Biosecurity, Disease/defect, Infectious disease, Disease control/eradication, Epidemiology, Notifiable organisms/exotic disease, Reproduction, Immune system/immunology, Reproduction - female, Vaccination, Zoonosis, Public health
Article class: Review Article

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Abstract: Brucella ovis is a bacterial disease that causes epididymitis and reduced fertility of rams. It is an important cause of ram wastage in sheep flocks in most parts of the world with the exception of Great Britain (Lawrence 1961). The earliest report of disease caused by the organism now known as B. ovis was from the Gisborne region of New Zealand, where abortion in ewes and epididymitis in rams was documented (McFarlane et al 1952). The following year, reports emerged from New Zealand and Australia of a Brucella-like organism or a Brucella mutant causing epididymitis in rams (Buddle and Boyes 1953; Simmons and Hall 1953). The organism was characterised at the Wallaceville Animal Research Station, Upper Hutt, New Zealand, and named Brucella ovis (Buddle 1956). Subsequently, extensive research has been undertaken to determine the transmission, effects, diagnosis and control of this disease, with New Zealand researchers making a substantial contribution to knowledge in this field.

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