The objective of this study was to detect Brucella abortus and injuries caused by the bacteria in fetal membranes and fetuses, and in lymph nodes of buffaloes as well as to describe the lesions caused. Twenty buffaloes serologically positive for brucellosis were used and subjected to stamping for collection of material from the closed uterus of several months gestation. Fragments of lymph nodes were collected. Fetal age was determined by ultrasound examination and the size of fetuses was measured at necropsy. The samples were subjected to histopathology and qPCR. From the second month of pregnancy on it was possible to detect the presence of B. abortus DNA in amniotic fluid, allantoic liquid and uterus, and from the fifth month on in placenta, heart, spleen, kidney, lung, intestine, liver and lymph nodes of the fetuses. The main pathological findings were fibrinous suppurative necrotic placentitis, and chronic endometritis. The detection of B. abortus DNA in the lymph nodes was checked from the fourth month of pregnancy in seven buffaloes and in a post-calving buffalo. Acute to chronic lymphadenitis was histologically diagnosed. B. abortus DNA was detected in all evaluated groups of lymph nodes; the mammary lymph nodes were the most affected.
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