Canine brucellosis
Brucella canis infection is a common disease of canines and is a major cause of reproductive failure. Although B canis infections are relatively uncommon in humans, many documented cases have been reported in the literature and this disease is likely underreported in humans. Diagnosis of B canis infection in dogs can be somewhat difficult because many infected dogs are asymptomatic, bacteremia may be intermittent, and serologic and molecular diagnostic tools are imperfect.
Continued support for disease control efforts, including detection, control, and sustainable funding for surveillance activities toward the ultimate elimination of brucellosis should remain a national priority for the protection of human and animal health.
Brucellosis research priorities
- Develop laboratory standards and improved diagnostic tests for canine brucellosis.
- Further clarify the epizootiology of canine brucellosis, including disease pathogenesis and transmission parameters, which can be utilized for control and elimination of the disease.
Population disease management
- The AVMA urges state and federal agencies to work together to develop a disease surveillance and management plan, including control of the inter- and intrastate spread of B canis and elimination of brucellosis from the canine population.