Characterisation of <i>Brucella</i> species and biovars in South Africa between 2008 and 2018 using laboratory diagnostic data

Abstract Background Brucellosis is an infectious zoonotic bacterial disease of humans and other animals. In the Republic of South Africa (RSA), animal brucellosis is widespread and the current available data on the prevalence of this disease rely solely on serological testing. The primary limitation of brucellosis serology is the lack of discriminatory powers to differentiate between Brucella species and biovars as well as the cross‐reactivity observed with other Gram‐negative bacteria. Aim The aim of this study was to conduct a retrospective laboratory‐based survey on Brucella species and biovars isolated from various animal species in SA between 2008 and 2018. Material and Methods The isolation of Brucella species and biovar typing was performed using conventional microbiological techniques. Results and Discussion A total of 963 strains of Brucella species were included in this study with a frequency of detection for B. abortus ( n  = 883; 91.6%) followed by B. melitensis ( n  = 42; 4.4%), B. ovis ( n  = 29; 3.0%) and B. canis ( n  = 9; 0.9%). Of the 883 strains of B. abortus , 90.1% were typed as B. abortus biovar‐1 while 5.7% as B. abortus biovar‐2, and 3.3% and 0.5% were B. abortus S19 and B. abortus RB51 vaccine strains, respectively. Among the 42 B. melitensis strains, 71.4% were reported as B. melitensis biovar‐1 and 26.2% as B. melitensis biovar‐3 while 2.4% was B. melitensis biovar‐2. Conclusion A retrospective study, such as this one, provides useful information that can be critical in formulating policies and strategies for the control and eradication of brucellosis in animal populations in RSA.