Molecular Detection of Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis in Raw and Unpasteurized Bulk Cow Milk Tanks of Traditional Domestic Dairy Sale Centres in Khorramabad

Background and Aims: Brucellosis or Malta fever is one of the most prevalent zoonotic diseases considered as a health and economic problem in many countries in the Middle East, including Iran. The consumption of contaminated milk, milk products and contact with infected animals are the main transmission ways of pathogenic Brucella strains among human. The aim of the current study was to determine simultaneous detection of Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis in raw and none-pasteurized bulk cow milk tanks of traditional domestic dairy sale centres in Khorramabad, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study during October and November 2015, a total of 120 samples from raw and unpasteurized bulk cow milk tanks were collected from traditional domestic dairy sale centres in Khorramabad. To confirm the presence of Brucella genus among the samples, single PCR was carried out using B4 and B5 primers and multiplex PCR was then carried out in order to detect the B. abortus and B. melitensis spp.. Results: The present study revealed that 10% of the bulk milk tank samples in traditional domestic dairy sale centres in Khorramabad were contaminated with Brucella. Conclusions: Results of PCR assay showed that raw and unpasteurized bulk cow milk tanks of traditional domestic dairy sale centres in Khorramabad are the potential cause of human brucellosis in this region