Brucella suis infection in domestic pigs in Sardinia (Italy): an 1 emerging disease?

In a 4-years (2007 to 2010) survey, we investigated the presence of Brucella suis infection in domestic pig in Sardinia. Blood sera collected from breedings of 75 pig farms withreproductive problems were analysed with RBt and CFt as screening and confirmatory test,respectively. Of the 1251 serum samples analysed by RBt, 406 sera originating from 36 farms were positive to B. suis. CFt detected positivity in 292 of 748 sera analysed, confirming positivity in all the 36 pig herds. Pigs with UICFT/ml values ≥ 160 were regularly slaughtered, and organs collected for bacteriological examination and PCR. Brucella sp. strains were isolated in culture from 13 of 502 organs examinated, and subsequently identified as B. suis biovar 2. PCR detected positivity to Brucella sp. in 19 of 285 organs analysed. These results confirm the presence of Brucella suis infection in domestic pigs in Sardinia