Ilhan, Z.Aksakal, A.Ekin, I. H.Gulhan, T.Solmaz, H.Erdenlig, S.2025-05-102025-05-1020080266-825410.1111/j.1472-765X.2007.02309.x2-s2.0-39149140391https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-765X.2007.02309.xhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14720/11842Aksakal, Abdulbaki/0000-0002-1622-5111; Ilhan, Ziya/0000-0003-3638-9196; Ekin, Ismail Hakki/0000-0001-5029-8130; Gulhan, Timur/0000-0003-4798-1427Aims: To compare the culture and PCR methods for detection of Brucella melitensis in blood and lymphoid tissue samples obtained from slaughtered sheep (n = 162) testing positive/negative in serological tests (Rose Bengal test and serum agglutination test). Methods and Results: Of 162 sheep examined, 45 were positive and 117 negative in serological tests. A PCR assay based on a pair of Br. melitensis-specific primers was used to detect DNA in blood and lymphoid tissue. Brucella melitensis was isolated from 1.2% (2/162) and 17.2% (28/162) of the blood and lymphoid tissue samples respectively. Positive PCR products with a molecular size of 731 bp were obtained from 27.7% (45/162) of blood and 29.0% (47/162) of lymphoid tissue samples. Conclusions: The species-specific PCR assay detected a higher number of Br. melitensis DNA both from serologically positive (P < 0.01 in blood PCR, P < 0.001 in tissue PCR) and serologically negative (P < 0.001 in both blood PCR and tissue PCR) sheep compared with classical bacteriological culture methods. Significance and Impact of the Study: The results emphasize the importance of using more than one type of diagnostic technique for the detection of animals positive for brucellosis, especially with epidemiological purposes.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessBloodBrucella MelitensisCultureLymphoid TissuePcrSheepArticle463Q3Q330130618179446WOS:000253258000004