Brucella canis: an update

While the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic and the wake of Brexit have resulted in a dramatic decrease in the number of pets travelling abroad from the UK, the numbers of pets being rescued from abroad and imported into the UK has increased exponentially. As a consequence of this, concerns have arisen around the increasing numbers of imported dogs found to be carrying Brucella canis.

B.canis is a Gram-negative coccobacilli bacteria, predominantly infecting domestic dogs. While many cases are clinically mild, infection is typically associated with reproductive abnormalities including infertility, abortion, endometritis, epididymitis and orchitis and scrotal oedema. A wide range of non-reproductive conditions can also occur though, including chronic uveitis, endophthalmitis and discospondylitis. Lymphadenitis is also common, along with non-specific clinical signs such as lethargy, exercise intolerance, decreased appetite and weight loss.

Transmission occurs via reproductive fluids, but is also shed in the urine, blood and saliva of infected individuals. Once these dogs are infected, infection either persists for 2-3 years before elimination by the immune system, or a lifelong infection establishes. Antibiotic therapy is not effective at eliminating infection.