Epidemiological study case-control type carried out in Triângulo abattoir in the city of Uberlândia in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, has identified the ocorrence of brucelosis in bovine with supraspinous bursitis, slaughtered from August, 1993 to July, 1994. To diagnose brucelosis "Rapid Agglutination" test was performed on plate with the padronizated antigen count considered positive over 100. The bursas examined were identified by technicians of the Federal Inspection Service based on the presence of ten standardized morphological characteristics. Using the case-control design, 30 animals identified as having supraspinous bursitis were compared with 90 animals randomly selected, without bursitis- but with other characteristics (sex, background, lot, conformation) similar to those affected. All animals were, then, tested for brucelosis. Within the animals with bursitis, 13.33% were found to have brucelosis against 5.56% in the control group (P=0.115). The presence of pus, nodules and viscous fluid was found only among animals who tested negative for brucelosis. The odds ratio found between brucelosis and supraspinous bursitis was 2.61 (P>0.05). As a conclusion it’s suggested attention of technicians and profesionals employed in slaughter houses aiming to reduce the risk of human infection, as well as of carcasses, equipment and installations contamination.
bursitis supraspinous bovine; brucelosis; zoonosis
