Avaliação da resposta imune humoral de ovinos inoculados com um antígeno de Brucella ovis

Abstract

The sheep Brucellosis is a chronic disease, infectious, whose etiologic agent is the bacterium of the species Brucella ovis. Its symptoms epididymitis, orchitis and is responsible for abortions in females, in addition to causing birth of weak animals and perinatal death. This disease causes great damage to the production system, because it interferes at the reproductive efficiency. To reduce the ovine brucellosis is necessary that the diagnosis is early, for this makes it important to carry out serological tests, which are used to control and eradication program of the disease, such as enzyme-linked immunoassay indirect ELISA. There is no specific vaccine to be used in the prevention of B. ovis. Therefore, the objective was to perform evaluation of the humoral immune response of sheep injected with an antigen of B. ovis, with a view to its possible use as a vaccine. The experiment was conducted in a property located in the municipality of Ribeira do Pombal, Bahia. 85 sheep were used, divided into three groups (Group 01, Group 02 and Group 03). On day zero (before the animal antigen inoculation) was held to collect blood for serology and confirmation that all were non-reagents for the disease. Was subsequently performed inoculation of animals with the antigen diluted in Liquid Glycerin, dividing as follows: in Group 01 - 0.5 ml of the dilution was inoculated; Group 02 half dose, 0.25ml; and Group 03, which was the control group was inoculated 0.5 ml of physiological solution. The blood samples were taken every 30 days, in the 01 years period and evaluated the humoral response using indirect ELISA test by Optical Density (OD) at the beginning of the experiment and, was maintained throughout the period. Already treated groups (groups 01 and 02), presented DO low at the beginning of the experiment, however, 24 hours after inoculation already had immune response against the antigen inoculated. The two treated groups showed antibody production, however, the group 01 showed more efficient production of the antibodies 02. Group B. ovis antigen has been shown to stimulate a humoral response in inoculated animals over time, being possible its use as a vaccine against infection of ovine brucellosis.