Investigation and characterization of Brucella canis infections in pet-quality dogs and associated human exposures during a 2007–2016 outbreak in Michigan

Details

• Alternative Title:
  J Am Vet Med Assoc
• Personal Author:
  Johnson, Cheri A. ; Carter, Todd D. ; Dunn, John R. ; Baer, Susan R. ; Schalow, Michele M. ; Bellay, Yvonne M. ; Guerra, Marta A. ; Frank, Nancy A.
• Description:
  OBJECTIVE
  
  To estimate Brucella canis seropositivity rates for purebred dogs being bred by noncommercial breeders, describe epidemiological findings in infected commercial dog-production facilities, and characterize B canis infection in pet dogs and the risk to human health.
  
  DESIGN
  
  Retrospective descriptive study.
  
  SAMPLE
  
  2,799 canine specimens submitted to the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for B canis testing and records of B canis reports provided to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2007 through 2016.
  
  PROCEDURES
  
  Results of B canis laboratory tests and epidemiological findings for reported cases of B canis were reviewed and summarized. Federal and state public health officials were interviewed regarding human B canis infection. State veterinarians were interviewed regarding canine brucellosis reporting and control procedures.
  
  RESULTS
  
  Estimated B canis seropositivity was 0.4% among purebred Michigan dogs owned by noncommercial breeders. Infection was confirmed in dogs from 17 commercial dog-production facilities, 3 shelters, and I rescue agency. Estimated infection prevalence in production facilities ranged from 2 of 22 (9%) to 5 of 6 (83%). Transfer of infected dogs involved 22 Michigan counties and II states. Seven of 20 privately owned infected dogs had diskospondylitis; I also had uveitis. Fifty-three veterinary hospital or diagnostic laboratory personnel had inadvertent exposure to the pathogen. Brucella canis was isolated from I commercial production facility owner.
  
  CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE
  
  B canis was uncommon in purebred dogs being bred by noncommercial breeders but endemic in Michigan commercial facilities producing dogs destined to become household pets. Infected pet dogs caused human B canis exposure, and several pet dogs had debilitating disease not associated with the reproductive system.
  
  
• Subjects:
  Animal Husbandry Animals Breeding Brucella Canis Brucellosis Demography Disease Outbreaks Dog Diseases Dogs Female Humans Male Pets Prevalence Zoonoses

  More +
• Source:
  J Am Vet Med Assoc. 253(3):322-336
• Pubmed ID:
  30020006
• Pubmed Central ID:
  PMC6642745
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Funding:
  CC999999/Intramural CDC HHS/United States
• Place as Subject:
  Michigan
• Volume:
  253
• Issue:
  3
• Collection(s):
  CDC Public Access
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:b64c1e2a288dfee25a5c549b2336503b5bcd21c979f87c1a50165dc7f514a97a
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/80051/cdc_80051_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 485.58 KB ]