Abstract
Brucella suis biovar 1 has the broadest animal host spectrum. Affects domestic animals and wildlife species. The aim of our study was to investigate the pathogenesis of B. suis biovar 1 infection in the armadillo (Chaetophractus villosus) under experimental conditions. One gravid female and three adult males were inoculated with a suspension containing 1×106 CFU/mL (colony-forming units) of B. suis biovar 1 by oral route. In addition, the gravid female and one male received the same suspension by the conjunctival route. A young male and two females not inoculated were kept in contact with the animals inoculated. The serum samples were analysed using the Buffered Plate Antigen test and Fluorescence Polarization Assay for the detection of Brucella antibodies. The inoculated armadillos showed positive antibody titres 2 weeks post-inoculation. After 55 days, the animals that tested positive for Brucella (5 animals) were euthanized under anaesthesia (tiletamine and zolazepam, 5.0 mg/kg/I.M). Of the three uninoculated animals, one female was seropositive for Brucella infection. Brucella was isolated from the spleen, liver, mesenteric lymph nodes, uterus, testes, and urine. Characteristic histologic lesions were found in the epididymis. These results suggest that armadillos can be a reservoir for the spread of B. suis infection, and the persistence of Brucella in armadillo tissues constitutes a risk for humans, because of the cultural practice of armadillo meat consumption in rural communities. The animals used in this study were handled by trained personnel, according to the standards and conditions approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of INTA (National Institute of Agricultural Technology) and the International Guiding Principles for Biomedical Research Involving Animals (Council for International Organization of Medical Sciences and the International Council for Laboratory Animal Science). It should be noted that armadillo is not an endangered species.
