Rev-1 conjunctival vaccine administration in Turkey

Abstract

Brucellosis in sheep and goats has a major economic and zoonotic importance, and implementation of strategies for its control and eradication is essential in endemic areas. In this study, the enhanced abortion cases in small ruminants after conjunctival Rev-1 vaccine administration was examined by PCR in terms of probability of vaccine induced abort cases. Of the examined 77 cotyledons from the aborted fetuses belonging to 68 sheep and 9 goats, 70 (90.90%) were found to harbour Brucella spp. DNA. In the first, second and third trimester of gestation, the rate of 100%, 40% and 42.85% positive results were determined from the cotyledons of the small ruminants, respectively. In conclusion, the conjunctival route of Rev-1 vaccine administration was safe during field vaccination, compatible with the serological tests and induces less abortion compared with the subcutaneous route as long as the period of pregnancy is taken into consideration during the vaccination period.