Duplex PCR for the diagnosis of Brucella melitensis and its differentiation from the REV-1 vaccine strain

Abstract

Caprine brucellosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by Brucella melitensis, whose main symptoms are abortion in females and orchitis in males. Vaccination by mistake of pregnant goats with the REV-1 vaccine may cause abortions. The aim of this study was to develop a duplex PCR that could identify and differentiate the DNA of B. melitensis field strains from that of the REV-1 vaccine strain. The results showed that the duplex PCR performed on DNA isolated from infected tissues is very convenient as it significantly shortens the time of detection of the etiological agent, yields a reliable result and has an acceptable cost.