@article{3300,
  author = {Z Ilhan and H Solmaz and A Aksakal and T Gülhan and I Ekin and B Boynukara},
  title = {Comparison of PCR assay and bacteriological culture method for the detection of Brucella melitensis in stomach content samples of aborted sheep fetuses},
  abstract = {The aim of this study was to evaluate the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assayfor detection of Brucella melitensis in stomach content samples of aborted sheepfetuses and to compare its performance with bacteriological culture method.It was also aimed to determine the agreement between PCR and Rose Bengalplate test (RBPT). Materials were collected from aborted sheep from 109 differentsheep flocks in the region of Van during the lambing seasons of 2004–2005 and2005–2006. Stomach contents from 135 aborted sheep fetuses were examinedby bacteriological culture and PCR, and 135 sera from these aborting ewes weretested by RBPT. Identification and typing of Brucella strains were performed usingstandard classification test. B. melitensis biovar 3 was isolated from 26 (19.2 %) offoetal stomach contents. B. melitensis was detected by PCR in 29 (21.4 %) stomachcontent samples. Twenty five sera (18.5 %) from aborting ewes tested positiveby RBPT. The detection limit of B. melitensis 16 M strain by PCR was 1.7 x 103 cfu(colony forming units) /ml in spiked stomach contents. Diagnostic sensitivity andspecificity of the PCR were detected as 100 % and 97.2 %, respectively. The agreementbetween PCR and RBPT was found to be 97 %. In conclusion, PCR assaywould have an advantage over conventional bacteriological culture method, butin particular for its ability to meet the specificity requirements for the detection ofB. melitensis in stomach content samples of aborted sheep fetuses.},
  year = {2007},
  journal = {Berliner und Münchener Tierärztliche Wochenschrift},
  volume = {114},
  pages = {460-464},
  month = {12/2007},
  publisher = {M. & H. Schaper GmbH},
  address = {Hannover},
  issn = {0341-6593},
  doi = {10.2377/0341-6593-114-460},
  language = {English},
}