Experiences in Mexico of the vaccination in bovines and goats, with Brucella abortus RB51 strain

The control of brucellosis in Mexico since the 70's until 1998 was performed using cattle vaccination with S19 strain of Brucella abortus as a key tool. The use of strain RB51 was approved since 1998 and vaccination with strain S19 was gradually decreased until fully waived. The strain S19 was used again from 2005 and now both vaccines are applied equally to prevent brucellosis in Mexican cattle. The implementation of the RB51 at normal and reduced dose, was approved in 2006 for goats, an unusual event since it's not used anywhere in the world to prevent brucellosis in goats. Although at present the permission was withdrawn for use in goats. This paper describes and discusses the research done in Mexico and the world during the 1998-2010 periods, on cattle, and goat vaccination with strain RB51, to elucidate whether the use of this vaccine has been appropriate in Mexico.