Molecular Detection and Characterization of Brucella Species in Raw Informally Marketed Milk from Uganda

Abstract

This study identified and characterizedBrucellaspecies in the informal milk chain in Uganda. A total of324 cattle bulk milk samples were screened for the genusBrucellaby real-time PCR with primers targeting thebcsp31gene and further characterized by theomp25gene. Of the samples tested, 6.5% were positive forBrucellaspecies. In theomp25phylogeny, the study sequences were found to form a separate clade within thebranch containingB. abortussequences. The study shows that informally marketed cattle milk in Uganda is alikely risk factor for human brucellosis and confirms thatB. abortusis present in the cattle population.This information is important for potential future control measures, such as vaccination of cattle.