BACKGROUND AND AIM

Brucellosis is considered as an important zoonotic disease caused by various strains of in numerous host species. Although brucellosis has been reported in almost animal species, the relevance of brucellosis infection and diagnostic technique in Asian elephant () has been limited. The present serological investigation aimed to investigate the antibody response to in captive Asian elephants in North Thailand. Moreover, further serological survey was also conducted to detect the antibody response to in stray dogs cohabiting the same area as the elephant herd.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Serum samples were collected from 40 captive Asian elephants and submitted for serological analysis based on antigen using Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) in combination with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-tube agglutination test (EDTA-TAT) as a supplementary test and by commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). In addition, serum samples were also obtained from 16 stray dogs that live nearby the elephant-raising area and were tested using commercial Dot-ELISA based on antigen.

RESULTS

Serological analysis in captive Asian elephants showed 100% seronegative (40/40) from all serological tests response to . For stray dogs, 12.5% (2/16) had a low positive reaction response to .

CONCLUSION

The serological survey for brucellosis in Asian elephant was adapted and applied using RBPT, EDTA-TAT, and iELISA in the present study. For future evaluation, we recommended the use of a combination of serological tests with validation together with comparing by direct detection such as bacterial isolation to provide an appropriate brucellosis surveillance program in Asian elephants. In addition, the surveillance of stray dogs or multispecies habitation should be kept into considerations.