Detection of Brucella in marketable milk sold in Alexanderia city

Abstract EN

The main object of this study is to detect the Brucella spp.

in the marketable milk sold in Alexanderia city by using different methods such as MRT (milk ring test), ELISA, direct culture and PCR.

A total of 170 milk samples were purchased as 70 cow’s milk samples and 100 buffalo’s milk samples.

The obtained results indicated that the incidence of Brucella antibodies in milk samples were estimated by MRT in 16 samples (7 cow’s milk and 9 buffalo’s milk) out of the 170 milk samples ; and by ELISA in 35 samples (19 cow’s milk and 16 buffalo’s milk) out of the 170 milk samples.

Moreover, Brucella spp.

were detected in 4.3 % of the cow’s milk samples and 5 % of the buffalo’s milk samples by direct culture.

Also the incidence of Brucella spp.

gene were detected in 14 samples (8.2%) out of the 170 milk samples as 6 (8.6 %) for cow’s milk and 8 (8%) for buffalo’s milk samples by using PCR.

In conclusion, PCR proved to be more suitable tools for Brucella detection than the culture techniques.

A combination between molecular techniques and conventional techniques found to be a good reliable policy for controlling the disease.

Achieved results set a warning for public health hazard due to habit of drinking of fresh raw milk.