Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Sciences

Abstract

This study was conducted on two flocks of sheep suffering from abortion in Mosul city, Iraq. The clinical findings in ewes were abortion during the 3-4 months of gestation period in the both flocks. The total percentage of abortion was 11.7 %, whereas stillbirth percentage was 4 %. Brucella spp. was isolated from four (33.3 %) of the 12 samples (stomach contents of the aborted fetuses). All culture – positive samples had also positive with direct smears. By a modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Brucella antigens were detected in the fetal stomach contents of 5 samples. The sensitivity and specificity of the modified ELISA were 100 % and 87.5 % respectively. The test had a good negative predictive value but only a moderate positive predictive value. Therefore, the test would be useful for confirming the existence of suspect disease. Comparison of modified ELISA with bacterial isolation demonstrated a close agreement (Kappa value = 0.92). Of the 12 serum samples from aborted ewes, eight samples were positive with Rose Bengle test (66.7 %), more than 10 samples (83.3 %) were detected by indirect ELISA test.