Serological study on brucellosis in captive elephants (Elephas maximus) and stray dogs in North Thailand

Research (Published online: 26-09-2020)

34. Serological study on brucellosis in captive elephants (Elephas maximus) and stray dogs in North Thailand

Suchanit Ngamkala, Taweepoke Angkawanish, Weerapun Nokkaew and Nikorn Thongtip

Veterinary World, 13(9): 1992-1997

Suchanit Ngamkala: Department of Veterinary Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.

Taweepoke Angkawanish: The National Elephant Institute, The Forest Industry Organization, Lampang 52190, Thailand.

Weerapun Nokkaew: Clinic for Wildlife, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mahanakorn University of Technology, Bangkok 10530, Thailand.

Nikorn Thongtip: Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand; Center for Agricultural Biotechnology, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand; Center of Excellence on Agricultural Biotechnology: (AG-BIO/PERDO-CHE), Bangkok 10900, Thailand.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2020.1992-1997

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Article history: Received: 17-04-2020, Accepted: 14-08-2020, Published online: 26-09-2020

Corresponding author: Suchanit Ngamkala

E-mail: cvtsnn@ku.ac.th

Citation: Ngamkala S, Angkawanish T, Nokkaew W, Thongtip N (2020) Serological study on brucellosis in captive elephants (Elephas maximus) and stray dogs in North Thailand, Veterinary World, 13(9): 1992-1997.

Abstract

Background and Aim: Brucellosis is considered as an important zoonotic disease caused by various strains of Brucella in numerous host species. Although brucellosis has been reported in almost animal species, the relevance of brucellosis infection and diagnostic technique in Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) has been limited. The present serological investigation aimed to investigate the antibody response to Brucella abortus in captive Asian elephants in North Thailand. Moreover, further serological survey was also conducted to detect the antibody response to Brucella canis in stray dogs cohabiting the same area as the elephant herd.

Materials and Methods: Serum samples were collected from 40 captive Asian elephants and submitted for serological analysis based on B. abortus antigen using Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) in combination with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-tube agglutination test (EDTA-TAT) as a supplementary test and by commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). In addition, serum samples were also obtained from 16 stray dogs that live nearby the elephant-raising area and were tested using commercial Dot-ELISA based on B. canis antigen.

Results: Serological analysis in captive Asian elephants showed 100% seronegative (40/40) from all serological tests response to B. abortus. For stray dogs, 12.5% (2/16) had a low positive reaction response to B. canis.

Conclusion: The serological survey for brucellosis in Asian elephant was adapted and applied using RBPT, EDTA-TAT, and iELISA in the present study. For future evaluation, we recommended the use of a combination of serological tests with validation together with comparing by direct detection such as bacterial isolation to provide an appropriate brucellosis surveillance program in Asian elephants. In addition, the surveillance of stray dogs or multispecies habitation should be kept into considerations.

Keywords: Asian elephants, brucellosis, serology, stray dogs.