Detection of Brucella Genome by Real Time PCR from the Milk of Small Ruminants in the West Bank, Palestine

Brucellosis is an endemic disease of the small ruminants in Palestine, posing a big threat to humans due to its zoonotic character. The rapid detection is the main goal in case of outbreak in order to implement the specific control policy. In the control of the brucellosis, the fast detection must offset the impairment of the "test and slaughter" policy caused by the financial burden. The aim of this study was to develop accurate and rapid molecular techniques to detect Brucella in sheep and goat milk. Recently, has been reported an outbreak in Qibbiya (small village of Ramallah district) counting 11 adult people and a 10 month old baby: subsequently, for serological testing, were collected serum samples from 350 animals from the 14 suspected flocks.  The milk samples from 33 seropositive animals were check using an in-house PCR protocol for the Brucella genome identification. The results revealed the presence of Brucella spp genome in 78.8% (26/33) of the milk samples, while only 27.2% (9/33) of milk samples gave positive results at isolation on Brucella agar. All suspected and confirmed animals were quarantined and necessary measures were taken. Two weeks later, all sero-negative and real time PCR negative animals, were retested using Rose Bengal test and were negatives. Identification of Brucella spp by classical methods delay the implementation of control measures. The development of such a rapid and sensitive assay as real time PCR give a reliable tool to be use by authorities, in order to control the spread of Brucellosis.