Abstract
The presence of Brucella melitensis is demonstrated for the first time in Neumann's gazelle (Gazella erlangeri). Seven Neumann's gazelles exhibiting signs of brucellosis were treated for one month with oxytetracycline (25 mg/kg) administered intramuscularly in combination with streptomycin (20 mg/kg) for two weeks and then solely with oxytetracycline for a further two weeks. Prior to treatment, both serological and bacteriological tests were positive for Brucella melitensis. Specific identification of this zoonotic bacterium was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The primers used in the PCR were those that amplify 31 kDa membrane protein and partial 16S rRNA regions as genus specific primers whereas primers which amplify IS711 region were employed as Brucella specific primers. The haematological and biochemical parameters of blood samples taken from the infected gazelles prior to and following the treatment were measured. The findings of this study reveal that long term treatment of the Neumann's gazelles infected with Brucella melitensis using a combination of oxytetracycline and streptomycin, followed by only oxytetracycline succeeded in eradicating the infection.