ISOLATION AND BIOTYPING OF BRUCELLA MELITENSIS FROM ABORTED SHEEP FOETUSES IN TURKEY

Aborted sheep foetuses were collected during the lambing seasons of 2004 to 2006. B. melitensis was isolated from 25 (29.76%) of 84 lungs and stomach contents. Based on the biochemical tests and agglutination test with monospecific A and M antisera, the isolates were determined as B. melitensis biotype 3. The isolation of the B. melitensis from aborted sheep foetuses may show the importance of this agent in the aetiology of ovine brucellosis in Turkey. The determination of dominant biotype of B. melitensis responsible for ovine brucellosis is also expected to help to understand the epidemiology of ovine brucellosis in detail in this region and neighbouring countries.