Seroprevalence of Brucella canis in canines from a dog shelter in Bogotá, Colombia.

Introduction

The risk of Brucella canis infection in humans and dogs has increased due to the permanent exposure to asymptomatic carrier dogs. In Colombia, there is evidence of B. canis infection in humans living with dogs. In the case of Bogotá, an additional concern is the lack of updated information related to the prevalence of the infection in dogs.

Objective

To determine the seroprevalence of infection by B. canis in dogs intended for adoption programs in Bogotá. Materials and methods: By means of a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in a dog shelter in Bogotá, anti-B. canis IgG antibodies were detected in the serum from 51 dogs 28 females and 23 males) using a lateral-flow immunochromatographic test. Additionally, seropositive animals were analyzed with PCR to detect Brucella spp DNA.

Results

Brucella canis seroprevalence was 1.96% (1/51). The seropositive dog was an asymptomatic three-year-old she-dog in which no bacteria DNA was detected in the blood through PCR.

Conclusions

The seroprevalence determined in this study represented by a single dog with anti-B. canis IgG can be considered a potential risk both for canine and human populations since this single dog could have a persistent infection capable of spreading the bacteria.