Molecular detection of Brucella species in rodents from Tehran livestock farms: Implications for zoonotic transmission and control strategies

Introduction

Brucellosis, an important zoonotic illness, is triggered by Brucella species bacteria and affects both public health and livestock (1). It primarily affects cattle, sheep, goats and humans and leads to severe financial setbacks in animal farming, resulting from abortions, decreased dairy yield, and reproductive failures. In humans, infection usually occurs through exposure to diseased livestock or ingesting raw milk products, leading to clinical signs including persistent fever and long-term bacterial infections (2, 3). The dual effects of brucellosis on both veterinary and public health underscore its importance as a critical public health and veterinary issue (4).

Recent studies have demonstrated that rodents may serve as potential reservoirs for Brucella species, contributing to the zoonotic transmission cycle. Dadar and Alamian (2024) reported 68.75% Brucella prevalence in rodents from Iranian farms (5). Rezaie et al. (2025) identified Brucella abortus in wild rodents (Meriones persicus and Microtus qazvinensis) in Iran, with all positive cases (0.48% prevalence) localized in Hamedan Province (6). This finding highlights the need to consider rodents in the epidemiology of brucellosis, particularly in endemic regions. The rodents inhabit agricultural environments and can spread the bacteria through contact with infected animals or contaminated surfaces. Certain Brucella species, such as B. neotomae and B. microti, have been found in rodents, which can also transmit the infection vertically to their offspring. This demonstrates the importance of understanding rodent populations in the control of brucellosis, as they can serve as silent carriers and vectors for future outbreaks (7, 8). This highlights the potential role of rodents as silent carriers and vectors in the epidemiology of brucellosis, emphasizing the need for further research into their contribution to disease dynamics.

While previous work focused on livestock surveillance, our molecular approach targeting rodents provides unique insights into wildlife-mediated transmission pathways in Tehran's ecosystem - a dimension overlooked in current control programs. Accurate identification of Brucella species is essential for implementing effective control and prevention strategies. Traditional diagnostic methods, such as bacterial culture, are often time-consuming and require specialized laboratory conditions that may not be feasible in resource-limited settings (9). Innovations in biomolecular tools, notably the polymerase chain reaction technique (PCR), have revolutionized the detection of Brucella DNA, offering a rapid, sensitive, and reliable alternative to conventional methods (10). These advancements have significantly improved the ability to diagnose and monitor brucellosis, particularly in regions where the disease is endemic.

This study addresses three critical unmet needs: (1) molecular characterization of rodent-borne Brucella strains in Tehran, (2) assessment of age-related susceptibility patterns, and (3) evaluation of farm-type-specific risks—all essential for targeted One Health interventions. Given the potential role of rodents in brucellosis transmission and the need for improved diagnostic tools, this study aims to detect and characterize Brucella spp. in rodent populations near livestock farms in Tehran using PCR. By focusing on rodents as potential reservoirs, this research provides valuable insights into brucellosis epidemiology and supports the development of more effective control strategies. The findings will underscore the importance of integrating rodent surveillance into brucellosis control programs and highlight the role of molecular diagnostics in managing this zoonotic disease.

Materials and Methods

Sample collection

A total of 31 rodents were captured over a three-month period from July to September 2023, coinciding with the season known for a higher prevalence of Brucella. Among these rodents, 17 were collected from farms dedicated to cattle farming, while 14 were from farms involved in sheep farming. The rodents were collected from 20 livestock farms situated in various counties of Tehran Province, including Islamshahr (n=15, 48.4%), Robat Karim (n=3, 9.7%), Shahriar (n=8, 25.8%), and Varamin (n=5, 16.1%), all of which had previously reported cases of Brucella infections in their livestock.

Rodent trapping was performed using standard mouse traps, ensuring strict adherence to biosafety protocols, including the use of protective gloves. Following humane euthanasia, the carcasses of the rodents were frozen at -19°C and conveyed to the testing facility with an unbroken cold chain to maintain sterility. Upon arrival at the laboratory, samples were aseptically collected from the lymphoid organs, specifically the liver, spleen, and kidneys, and were immediately processed for molecular analysis on the same day.

DNA extraction

Genomic DNA was isolated from tissue specimens employing the MBST nucleic acid extraction kit (Molecular Biological System Transfer, Iran) following the standard protocol. Briefly, 20-50 mg tissue fragments were homogenized in 180 μL lysis buffer containing 20 μL Proteinase K (20 mg/mL) and digested at 56°C for 30 minutes. Following complete lysis, 360 μL binding buffer was added, and the mixture was incubated at 70°C for 10 minutes. Ethanol precipitation was then performed by adding 270 μL of absolute ethanol and thoroughly mixing. The lysate was loaded onto silica-membrane columns and centrifuged at 8000 × g for 1 minute. After discarding the flow-through, the columns were washed twice with 500 μL wash buffer (8000 × g, 1 minute each), followed by a final centrifugation at 12000 × g for 2 minutes to ensure complete ethanol removal. Purified DNA was eluted in 100-200 μL pre-heated (70°C) elution buffer after 3 minutes of incubation at room temperature, with a final centrifugation at 8000 × g for 1 minute. DNA concentration and purity were verified spectrophotometrically before storage at -20°C for downstream molecular analysis.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

The AMOS multiplex PCR assay, originally developed by the National Animal Disease Center for Brucella species differentiation, was employed to simultaneously detect and discriminate between B. abortus, B. melitensis, B. ovis, and B. suis. This method confirms the presence of Brucella and distinguishes between species. However, the primer for B. suis was not used in this study due to the prohibition of pig farming in our country.

The PCR process involved two stages: first, primers B4 and B5 were used to detect Brucella, followed by the AMOS method to identify species. Specific primers included RIS711 and FaborTus for B. abortus, and RIS711 and FmeliTensis for B. melitensis. The primer sequences and product sizes are summarized in Table 1 (11).

Following DNA extraction, the multiplex PCR reaction was conducted in a 25 µL reaction mixture containing: 12.5 µL of commercial PCR Master Mix (Amplicon, Denmark), 5.5 µL nuclease-free water, 1 µL each of forward and reverse primers (10 µM), and 5 µL template DNA. Thermal cycling conditions comprised: initial DNA denaturation (95°C, 3 min); 35 amplification cycles of denaturation at 95°C for 30 seconds, annealing at 60°C for 30 seconds, and extension at 72°C for 30 seconds, with a final extension at 72°C for 1 minute. Distilled water was used as the negative control, while B. melitensis (Strain 16M) and B. abortus (Strain 544) obtained from the microbial culture collection of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, served as positive controls. Representative PCR amplicons were electrophoresed in 1% agarose gel prepared with Safe DNA stain (0.5 µg/mL) (Yektatajhiz, Iran) using 0.5× TBE buffer (45 mM Tris-borate, 1 mM EDTA, pH 8.3) at 80 V for 80 minutes, and visualized under UV transillumination (BTS-20 system, Japan).

Statistical analysis

Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 21 software. The Kruskal-Wallis test was utilized to evaluate significant differences in the prevalence of Brucella species across various livestock farms. Inter-group comparisons were performed using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test with Bonferroni adjustment to identify specific farms that exhibited statistically significant differences in Brucella prevalence. Statistical significance was established at p<0.05, reflecting significant intergroup variations.

Results

PCR analysis of 31 rodent samples from Tehran Province livestock farms revealed a 9.7% (3/31) Brucella prevalence, with all positive cases identified as B. melitensis. Geographic distribution showed one positive case each in Islamshahr, Robat Karim, and Shahriar (Figure 1). Prevalence differed between farm types: 5.9% (1/17) in cattle farms versus 14.3% (2/14) in sheep farms, though this difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05, Chi-square test). Molecular characterization confirmed all positives as B. melitensis (731 bp amplicon), with no detection of B. abortus (498 bp) or other species (Figure 1). The 223 bp universal Brucella marker validated all positives. Samples were collected from various farming systems and locations, as summarized in Table 2. The captured rodents were classified by species, gender, and age, as shown in Table 3. While no significant associations were found with farming systems, locations, or host demographics (all p>0.05), age emerged as a significant factor (p<0.05), with infection exclusively detected in mature rodents (Table 3).

Discussion

Rodents serve as Brucella reservoirs, transmitting infection to livestock and humans (7). Detecting Brucella in rodents is crucial for disease control. The present investigation was designed to detect and characterize Brucella spp. circulating among rodent populations in Tehran's farms. Our findings underscore the prevalence of Brucella in rodents coming into contact with livestock in Tehran province, Iran, indicating a potential risk for transmission within this environment. Our analyses revealed that Brucella was isolated from 9.7% of the rodent samples collected, all of which were identified as belonging to the B. melitensis species. This result is consistent with previous reports from different regions of the world highlighting rodents as important vectors for Brucella. Geographic variability in rodent-associated Brucella is evident, as demonstrated by Rezaie et al. (2025), who reported B. abortus exclusively in Meriones persicus and Microtus qazvinensis (0.48% prevalence) in Hamedan Province (6), contrasting with our detection of B. melitensis in Tehran’s peri-domestic rodents. While Hammerl et al. (2017) reported 14.2% Brucella prevalence in German rodents (12), our lower rate (9.7%) may reflect differences in reservoir species or livestock contact patterns. Notably, all our positives were B. melitensis, contrasting with B. microti in Russian rodents (13) and B. abortus in Iranian wild rodents (6), underscoring regional strain diversity. The study conducted by Dadar and Alamian (2024) found that 68.75% of rodents tested from seropositive livestock farms in Iran carried Brucella spp. indicating a significant presence of these bacteria in rodent populations (5). In addition, the identification of B. abortus biovar 3 and B. melitensis biovar 1 in these rodents emphasizes their potential role as reservoirs for the transmission of brucellosis.

It is noteworthy that all positive samples in our study came from mature rodents, suggesting that age plays a crucial role in susceptibility to infection. Mature rodents may be more frequently exposed to contaminated environments or infected livestock, which can lead to a higher infection rate.

The lack of significant differences in Brucella prevalence between the different livestock systems and locations suggests that environmental factors, such as common farming practices or similar exposure to infected animals, contribute to a uniform risk of transmission within the regions studied. This uniformity means that preventive measures should be comprehensively applied in the different farming systems to mitigate the risk of brucellosis effectively. In support of this notion, Al Dahouk et al. (2005) investigated the sporadic occurrence of B. suis biovar 2 in domestic pigs across Germany, emphasizing the ongoing potential for zoonotic transmission from wildlife (14). The findings of Godfroid et al. (2013) also reinforce the concept that wildlife acts as a key contributor to the spread of Brucella species and emphasize the urgent need for thorough surveillance of both wildlife and domestic animal populations (15).

There are several methods for identifying Brucella, each with its own advantages. Recent studies emphasize the importance of diagnostic tools and control strategies in the control of brucellosis in agriculture. Among these methods, the AMOS-PCR technique (11) allows rapid identification of Brucella species, while Bruce-Ladder PCR (16) efficiently detects multiple strains in a single reaction. In addition, Vemulapalli et al. (1999) developed a PCR assay specifically designed to distinguish the RB51 strain of B. abortus from other strains, which improves detection capabilities (17). In our study, we utilized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the AMOS multiplex technique as a diagnostic tool, which was found to be effective and efficient. The AMOS multiplex PCR technique facilitated the differentiation between species and provided valuable information about the specific strains present in the rodent population.

In total, this study highlights the crucial role of rodents in the epidemiology of brucellosis and emphasizes the importance of accurate species identification using advanced molecular techniques such as PCR. Based on the findings of this study, implementing integrated rodent control programs in Tehran's livestock farms appears essential. Control measures should primarily target mature rodents around stables and parturition areas, as this demographic poses the highest transmission risk. Improving feed storage hygiene through the use of orodent-proof netting and sealed containers can reduce environmental attractants. Furthermore, periodic molecular surveillance of rodent populations in high-prevalence areas and during peak risk seasons is strongly advised. These combined strategies could effectively diminish the disease reservoir within rodent populations while supporting brucellosis prevention efforts.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the efficacy of AMOS-PCR in detecting B. melitensis in Tehran's rodents (9.7% prevalence), with higher rates in sheep versus cattle farms (14.3% vs. 5.9%). The exclusive infection of mature rodents (p<0.05) suggests age-related susceptibility. However, three limitations must be acknowledged: (1) sample size constraints (n=31) may have limited statistical power to detect farm-type differences, (2) single-season sampling could miss temporal prevalence variations, and (3) absence of bacterial isolation prevents strain characterization beyond PCR amplicon size. These findings nonetheless underscore the need to integrate rodent surveillance into brucellosis control programs, particularly targeting mature populations near sheep farms.

Acknowledgments

This article is derived from the first author's thesis, and we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Department of Veterinary Medicine at Islamic Azad University, Shabestar Branch, for their invaluable support and access to laboratory facilities that greatly contributed to the research.

Conflict of Interest

None declared.

Ethical approval

The study was conducted in accordance with ethical guidelines for research involving animals and was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad College of Tabriz, Iran (Ethical Approval Code: IR.IAU.TABRIZ.REC.1403.098).

Artificial Intelligence Statement

The authors declare that no artificial intelligence tools were used in the preparation of this manuscript.