Detection of Brucella spp. and Leptospira interrogans in the canine blood by multiplex nested PCR

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence of Brucella spp. and Leptospira interrogans in 360 clinically healthy dogs using multiplex nested PCR. Four dogs (1.1%, 2 females and 2 males) tested positive to Brucella spp. by multiplex nested PCR. Fifty nine (16.4%, 31 females and 28 males) of 360 dogs tested positive L. interrogans. In 1 and 2 of the samples that tested positive to Brucella spp. and L. interrogans, the partial sequences of the virB1 and 16S rRNA genes were identified by direct sequence analysis, respectively. In conclusion, prevalence of Brucella spp. and L. interrogans by multiplex nested PCR revealed low and high, respectively. Multiplex nested PCR is can be useful for early detection of Brucella spp. and L. interrogans in the canine blood from asymptomatic dogs.