Canine brucellosis in a Beagle breeding colony

This paper deals with the first outbreak of epizootic brucellosis that was recognized in Japan. Abortion occurred to 37 pregnant bitches in a Beagle breeding colony during a period from August, 1971 to August, 1972. Orchitis, scrotal dermatitis, or testicular atrophy was observed in 5 males during that period. Sixteen males and 116 females in this colony were diagnosed as infected with Brucella canis on the basis of either positive culture of the peripheral blood or a serum agglutinin titer of 1:400 or over. In particular, 33 of the 7 females involved in abortion were proved to be infected, as well as 41 of 330 pups born during a period from March to December, 1972. All the pups delived from non-infected dams and sires; however, were proved to be non-infected. The disease was successfully eradicated from the breeding colony after six months owing to the elimination of infected dogs by monthly tests to check Br. canis and antibody against it. Eleven persons working in contact with the infected dogs or at the laboratory were all negative for bacteriological and serological tests. This epizootic was considered to have been originated from a few infected ones of 150 dogs imported for breeding from a breeder in the United States.