Numbers of Brucella abortus in the placenta, umbilicus and fetal fluid of two naturally infected cows
Alexander, B.; Schnurrenberger, P.R.; Brown, R.R.
Veterinary Record 108(23): 500
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 6795789 Document Number: 176986
The numbers of B. abortus recovered were: umbilicus (two samples) 2.4 X 108 and 4.3 X 109 per g of tissue; fetal fluid (one sample) 9.5 X 1010 per ml; fetal cotyledons (5 samples) 5.2 X 1011 to 1.4 X 1013 per g. Numbers isolated were not related to the extent of necrosis of the cotyledons. Thus manual exploration of the uterus in cases of dystocia and retained placenta is accompanied by the risk of exposure to large numbers of brucella.