EQUINE BRUCELLOSIS IN THE SOUTH-FLUMINENSE REGION OF RIO DE JANEIRO: CASE REPORT

Abstract

This study reports a case of brucellosis in a 13-year-old crossbred horse, raised with 70 cattle intended for milk and meat production on a rural property in the south of Rio de Janeiro. The property carried out vaccination of calves (3 to 8 months) and serological diagnosis of brucellosis in adult cattle 4 years ago, always with negative results from the Buffered Acidified Antigen (AAT) screening test in an accredited laboratory. The horse presented a unilateral abscess on the withers (left side), without fistula, and without signs of osteoarthritis or resistance to physical effort. Blood and abscess fluid samples were sent for serological testing, with a positive result for brucellosis. The owner was instructed to euthanize the animal in accordance with the guidelines of the National Program for the Control and Eradication of Brucellosis and Animal Tuberculosis. Transmission may have occurred through ingestion of food or water contaminated by bovine secretions, but the disease occurs latently in horses for several years. Horses can carry brucellosis, posing a risk of transmission to other animals and humans, impacting public health as it is a widely disseminated zoonosis.