Distribution of Brucella field strains isolated from livestock, wildlife populations, and humans in Italy from 2007 to 2015

Abstract

Brucellosis is a major public health problem still prevalent as a neglected endemic zoonosis requiring proactive attention in many communities worldwide. The present study involved analysis of Brucella field strains submitted for typing to the Italian National Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis from 2007 to 2015. Strains were identified at the species and biovar levels by classic and molecular techniques according to the World Organisation for Animal Health Manual. In total, 5,784 strains were typed: 3,089 Brucella abortus (53.4%), 2,497 B. melitensis (43.2%), 10 B. ovis (0.2%), 181 B. suis (3.1%), and 7 B. ceti (0.1%). The 2,981 strains from cattle were typed as B. abortus biovars 1, 3, and 6 (90.1%) and B. melitensis biovar 3 (9.9%). The 318 strains from water buffalo were typed as B. abortus biovars 1, 3 (95.9%) and B. melitensis biovar 3 (4.1%). The 2,279 strains from sheep and goats were typed as B. abortus biovars 1 and 3 (4.3%); B. melitensis biovars 1, 3, (95.3%); and B. ovis (0.4%). The 173 strains from wild boar were typed as B. suis biovar 2 (98.3%) and B. melitensis biovar 3 (1.7%). The 11 strains from pigs were typed as B. suis biovar 2. The 13 strains from humans were typed as B. melitensis biovar 3. The two strains from horses were typed as B. abortus biovar 1, while the seven strains from dolphins were typed as B. ceti. This additional knowledge on the epidemiology of brucellosis in Italy may be useful to formulate policies and strategies for the control and eradication of the disease in animal populations. The animal species affected, biovars typed, geographical origins, and spatial distributions of isolates are herein analyzed and discussed.

Serological and Molecular Identification of Brucella spp. in Pigs from Cairo and Giza Governorates, Egypt

“…Movements of infected animals can contaminate feeding and grazing areas and may spread infection to other animals (e.g., cattle, buffalo or camel) [10]. The prevalence of B. melitensis and B. suis in swine may be attributed to the cross-contamination or co-rearing of pigs with other animals [6,15,19,20].…”

“…Human pathogenic biovars (B. suis biovar 1-4) pose a sever hazard to humans [16]. Hence, B. abortus [17,18] and B. melitensis [19,20] were also isolated from pigs when kept together with infected ruminants and camels.…”

First isolation, identification and genetic characterization of Brucella abortus biovar 3 from dairy cattle in Bangladesh

“…While Bangladesh and Brazil are clearly geographically well separated, it has previously been reported that most of the cattle imported into Brazil are from Europe or India (Minharro et al, 2013). This provides a plausible explanation Brucella from field outbreak and to trace back the source of new strain in a particular geographic area is important to undertake effective control measures against brucellosis (De Massis et al, 2019).…”

“…Further analysis with approaches such as whole genome sequencing would help to more categorically establish the relationship of these isolates with the global population. Characterization of the species and biovars of Brucella from field outbreak and to trace back the source of new strain in a particular geographic area is important to undertake effective control measures against brucellosis (De Massis et al, ). The data of species and biovar identification and genetic characterization of Brucella field isolates of the present work may be useful to formulate policy and strategies for the control of bovine brucellosis in Bangladesh.…”

Serological study on brucellosis in captive elephants (Elephas maximus) and stray dogs in North Thailand

“…isolated from wild animals were smooth Brucella spp. [ 6 , 23 , 24 ], the studies on wildlife brucellosis have been limited to some species, specifically in Asian elephants. Consequently, there are less information available for Asian elephant brucellosis.…”