Merck Manual

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Professional Version

Brucellosis in Horses

By

John WA Larsen

, BVSc, PhD, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne

Reviewed/Revised May 2023 | Modified Jun 2023

Horses can be infected with Brucella abortus or B suis. Suppurative bursitis, most commonly recognized as fistulous withers Fistulous Withers and Poll Evil Bursitis is an inflammatory reaction within a bursa. The causes can range from overuse, mild trauma, or severe trauma to sepsis. Bursitis in its various forms is more common and a more important... read more Fistulous Withers and Poll Evil or poll evil (bursitis) is the most common condition associated with brucellosis in horses (often with Actinomyces bovis infection also). Occasionally, abortion has been reported. It is unlikely that infected horses are a source of the disease for other horses, other animal species, or humans. Brucellosis in horses is very rare in the US because of elimination of the disease in cattle.

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