Clostridium tetani Osteitis without Tetanus

Emerging Infectious Diseases • www.cdc.gov/eid • Vol. 20, No. 9, September 2014 1571 Although persistence of B. melitensis in wild ruminants has not been reported, and these animals are considered an epidemiologic dead-end reservoir (3), the unexpected prevalence observed (≈50%) suggests that Alpine ibex could be the source of bovine brucellosis reemergence in the study area in France. Strict surveillance policies have prevented infection of domestic livestock with B. melitensis in the study area since 1999. However, cohabitation of domestic and wild ruminants on pastures during the summer is rare but possible. Clinical signs and lesions observed in chamois and Alpine ibex are consistent with those reported for chamois and Alpine ibex with brucellosis (4,5). However, positive cultures were obtained from conventional target organs (knee, testes, and lymph nodes) but also from urogenital fluids, which indicates the potential for excretion of the organism. The fact that births occur during periods and in places where female Alpine ibex are not in close contact with other wild/domestic species (because of higher altitude or rocky peaks) could explain the low transmission rate of B. melitensis to these animals. It also suggests that the venereal route might contribute to transmission within Alpine ibex during the mating season in winter. This report demonstrates the need for maintaining an active/reactive surveillance system for livestock and wildlife in brucellosisfree regions.