Brucella melitensis (B. melitensis) Nucleic Acid Test Kit (Lyophilized)

Symptoms 

• Reproductive System Disorders:

• Abortion: This is a prominent symptom, often occurring in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Infected ewes may abort suddenly, and the aborted fetuses may show signs of abnormal development, such as under - developed organs or lesions on the skin.

• Infertility: Both male and female sheep can be affected. In females, repeated mating failures are common, and in males, B. melitensis can cause orchitis, which leads to reduced sperm quality and quantity, ultimately resulting in infertility.

• Post - partum Complications: Ewes may experience retained placenta, which can lead to severe endometritis. A foul - smelling vaginal discharge is often present, indicating the presence of infection in the reproductive tract.

• Arthritis and Lameness:

• Joint Inflammation: B. melitensis can infect the joints, causing arthritis. The joints become swollen, painful, and warm to the touch. The most commonly affected joints are the knee, hock, and wrist joints.

• Lameness: As a result of joint inflammation, sheep show lameness, with difficulty in walking, standing up, or grazing. In severe cases, the lameness can be so pronounced that the sheep may be unable to move around properly, leading to weight loss and a decline in overall health.

• General Systemic Symptoms:

• Fever: Infected sheep often experience a low - grade fever, which may come and go. The fever can cause general malaise, lethargy, and a loss of appetite.

• Weight Loss: Due to reduced feed intake and the body's energy being diverted to fight the infection, sheep gradually lose weight over time.

Clinical Applications

• Early Diagnosis and Disease Prevention: The B. melitensis nucleic acid detection reagent can accurately detect the presence of the pathogen in the early stages of infection. This is crucial as early detection allows for immediate isolation of infected sheep, preventing the spread of the bacteria within the flock. For example, if a farmer notices a ewe showing signs of a slightly off - color vaginal discharge, using this reagent can quickly determine if B. melitensis is the cause.

• Herd - wide Screening: Regular screening of the entire sheep flock using the nucleic acid detection reagent is an essential part of brucellosis control programs. It helps to identify both clinically - affected and subclinical carriers. Subclinical carriers, who do not show obvious symptoms but can still transmit the bacteria, can be detected, and appropriate measures such as culling or strict isolation can be taken to protect the health of the flock.

• Differential Diagnosis: Since the symptoms of B. melitensis infection can be similar to those of other diseases like leptospirosis or other reproductive - tract infections, the nucleic acid detection reagent plays a vital role in accurate differential diagnosis. Veterinarians can use it to distinguish B. melitensis from other pathogens, ensuring that the correct treatment and management strategies are implemented.

• Quarantine and Trade - related Control: In the context of sheep trade, both domestic and international, the B. melitensis nucleic acid detection reagent is used for quarantine purposes. It ensures that the sheep being transported or sold are free from the bacteria, preventing the spread of brucellosis across different regions. This is important for maintaining the health of disease - free areas and protecting the sheep - raising industry from economic losses associated with brucellosis outbreaks.