Epidemiological studies on ovine brucellosis in selected ram flocks.
The epidemiology of ovine brucellosis was investigated in 6 ram flocks in which anomalous reactions to the complement fixation test was recorded. It was shown that rams can become infected as young as 4 months of age. Naturally infected animals have an epididymitis and excrete Brucella ovis in their semen or they may only show a serological response for a short time then recover. The base line titres of chronically infected animals stay relatively constant. The importance of abortive infection and possible reinfection is discussed.
D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D001315:Australia; D002002:Brucella / Q000276:immunology; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003168:Complement Fixation Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D004823:Epididymitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial