27
Views
11
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Scientific Articles

Seroprevalence of Brucella ovis infection in commercial ram flocks in the Tamworth area

Pages 97-100 | Accepted 30 Aug 1993, Published online: 22 Feb 2011
 

Abstract

Commercial ram flocks in the Tamworth area of northern New South Wales were surveyed to estimate the proportion of flocks, and rams, infected with Brucell ovis. The flock prevalence (percentage of flocks containing seropositive rams) of 9.1% for Merino flocks was significantly lower than that for British-breed flocks (43.8%, p=0.006) and mixed-breed flocks (46.7%, p=0.017). The mean flock prevalence over all flock types was 32.9%. These estimates were supported by data obtained from diagnostic testing for brucellosis carried out during the previous 6 years.

The seroprevalence in rams was 10.8% overall, 2.5% for Merinos, 19% for Border Leicester and 26% for Dorset rams. Within infected flocks, the estimated prevalences were 21%) 65% and 67% for Merinos, Border Leicester and Dorset rams respectively. The seroprevalence in Merino rams was significantly lower than that for both other breeds (p<0.001) for all flocks and in nfected flocks.

There was no apparent association between age and serological status, or age and the prevalence of epididymitis.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.