ABSTRACTBacterial isolates from frogs were phenotypically identified asOchrobactrum anthropi, but 16S rRNA sequencing showed up to 100% identity withBrucella inopinata. Further analysis ofrecA,omp2a,omp2b,bcsp31, and IS711and multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) verified a close relationship withBrucella, suggesting the isolates may actually represent novel members of this growing genus of zoonotic pathogens.

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Introduction: Streptobacillus moniliformis causes rat-bite fever, an underdiagnosed zoonosis occurring worldwide. A variety of animals including livestock and exotic mammals are known to be susceptible hosts for this species, but little information is available regarding infection in companion animals.Case presentation: Following the necropsy of a domestic cat, bacteria displaying substantial characteristics of Streptobacillus sp. were cultured from pneumonic lung tissue. Streptobacilluslike morphological features observed included strictly microaerophilic pleomorphic Gramnegative rods with bulbar swellings that grew exclusively in the presence of serum. Significant shared biochemical properties included negative reactions for cytochrome oxidase, catalase, urease, nitrate reduction and indole production, as well as broad antimicrobial susceptibility. These characteristics are all indicative of Streptobacillus moniliformis. However, 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed only 98 % sequence homology to type strain DSM 12112. A mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the affiliation of the domestic cat isolate described in this study with bacteria of the genus Streptobacillus, but matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-offlight mass spectrometry indicated that it differed from nine reference strains of Streptobacillus moniliformis isolated from various sources and host species.Conclusion: This is the first evidence for clinical disease caused by a streptobacillary infection in a domestic cat.

break. However, if F argentina were the aetiological agent of the disease, different rates of consumption by individual grazing horses could explain its inconsistent incidence. In this study the amount of F argentina consumed by the three experimental horses was much greater than would have been consumed under field conditions, and if the plant had been responsible for mal seco, its effects would probably have been observed. The results of the trial appear to indicate either that F argentina is not implicated in the aetiology of mal seco or that, if it is, other factors must also be involved. Acknowledgements.-The authors thank R. Cabrera, J. M. Garramuino and B. Antimilla for their help during the field trial, E. N. Vidal for-technical assistance and J. Robb for valuable advice. Special thanks are due to W. R. Kelly for his critical review of the manuscript. This work was funded by the EU (Contract C lI *-CT92-006 1).