STUDY OF THE EPIZOOTOLOGY OF SHEEP BRUCELLOSIS IN SOME REGIONS OF UZBEKISTAN AND THE RESULTS OF DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES

Abstract

The development of sheep breeding as one of the leading areas of animal husbandry in Uzbekistan requires a systematic approach to the prevention of particularly dangerous infectious diseases, including sheep botulism caused by Clostridium oedematiens. The relevance of this study is due to the need for timely detection and prevention of outbreaks of this infection, which leads to significant economic losses and the death of productive animals. The aim of the study was to establish the epizootic situation regarding sheep botulism in the Kashkadarya, Samarkand and Jizzakh regions, as well as to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis of the disease, followed by the isolation and study of the biological properties of the pathogen. To achieve this goal, visits were organised to disadvantaged private and karakul sheep farms, where pathological material was collected from dead animals. Diagnostics included bacteriological studies using Kitt-Tarozzi medium, Gram staining, microscopy, and biological testing on laboratory animals. It was established that brucellosis in these regions was mainly recorded during the cold season – autumn, winter and early spring. The disease mainly affects sedentary and well-fed sheep, especially when grazing in conditions of high humidity. The isolated strains of Cl. septicum demonstrated characteristic growth with clouding of the medium and the formation of gas bubbles. Laboratory animals infected with the isolated culture showed typical clinical and pathological changes, confirming the high pathogenicity of the pathogen. The diagnosis was based on a combination of epizootological data, laboratory tests and bioassays. The results of the study are of practical importance for determining vaccination schedules, planning anti-epizootic measures and preventing economic losses in sheep breeding