Brucellosis in reindeer, Rangifer tarandus L., inoculated experimentally with Brucella suis , type 4

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Microbiology
• Main Authors: Rausch, R. L., Huntley, B. E.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1978
• Subjects: Genetics; Molecular Biology; Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology; General Medicine; Immunology; Microbiology; Rangifer tarandus
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/m78-024; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/m78-024

An investigation of brucellosis caused by Brucella suis, type 4, in reindeer, Rangifer tarandus L., and other ungulates inoculated experimentally with virulent isolates was undertaken to observe the course of infection, follow titres of serum agglutinins, and determine the extent to which intraspecific and interspecific transmission might occur among confined animals. Titres rose to maximum levels within 1 to 2 months following inoculation, decreased during the next 4 months, and persisted at low levels thereafter. Titres in uninoculated associates of these animals followed the same pattern, but at lower levels. Abortion occurred in reindeer that received large numbers of organisms; females receiving smaller numbers at an earlier stage of gestation produced normal fawns. Possible explanations for the holarctic distribution of B. suis, type 4, in reindeer are considered.