[A survey of Brucella canis infection in dogs sheltered in Tohoku University School of Medicine (author's transl)].

A total number of 1549 dogs from Miyagi Prefecture and the north coast area of Fukushima Prfecture were surveyed during a year from December 1976 to November 1977 for Brucella canis (B. canis). 173 of 1549 dogs (11.2%) were sero-positive to B. canis, and B. canis was isolated from 55 of 148 dogs examined, giving more than 3.6% for total 1549 dogs. The positivity were higher than that have been reported from other areas. The results of the morphological and biochemical studies for isolates were similar to the reference strain RM6/66, and they were identified as B. canis. No significant difference in sero-positive rate was found between male and female, but isolation rate was higher in female than in male. B. canis was isolated most frequently from the uterus and the spleen of both sexes. The importance of urine and milk as a source of infection was discussed as well as the role of infected focus at non gravid uterus for abortion and fetal infection. A case supposed to be a vertical infection was described also.