How Themistocles Zammit found Malta Fever (Brucellosis) to be Transmitted by the Milk of Goats

Wyatt, H. V.

doi:10.1177/014107680509801009

Cited by 17 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Brucella melitensis is a ubiquitous and common pathogen of goats and sheep worldwide (Seleem et al, 2010 ; Moreno, 2014 ). This pathogen was first identified in Malta by David Bruce in 1887, with subsequent discovery of the role of contaminated goat's milk for brucellosis infections in humans by Themistocles Zammit in 1905 (Vassallo, 1996 ; Wyatt, 2005 ). Despite apparent host specificity of B. melitensis to caprines, this bacterium also infects camels (Abbas and Agab, 2002 ; Gwida et al, 2012 ; Sprague et al, 2012 ; Wernery, 2014 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

African Lineage Brucella melitensis Isolates from Omani Livestock

et al. 2018

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Brucellosis is a common livestock disease in the Middle East and North Africa, but remains poorly described in the region both genetically and epidemiologically. Traditionally found in goats and sheep, Brucella melitensis is increasingly recognized as infecting camels. Most studies of brucellosis in camels to date have focused on serological surveys, providing only limited understanding of the molecular epidemiology of circulating strains. We genotyped B. melitensis isolates from Omani camels using whole genome SNP assays and VNTRs to provide context for regional brucellosis cases. We identified a lineage of B. melitensis circulating in camels as well as in goats, sheep, and cattle in Oman. This lineage is genetically distinct from most genotypes from the Arabian Peninsula and from isolates from much of the rest of the Middle East. We then developed diagnostic assays that rapidly identify strains from this lineage. In analyses of genotypes from throughout the region, Omani isolates were genetically most closely related to strains from brucellosis cases in humans and livestock in North Africa. Our findings suggest an African origin for B. melitensis in Oman that has likely occurred through the trade of infected livestock. Moreover, African lineages of B. melitensis appear to be undersampled and consequently are underrepresented in genetic databases for Brucella. As we begin to more fully understand global genomic diversity of B. melitensis, finding and characterizing these unique but widespread lineages is essential. We predict that increased sampling of humans and livestock in Africa will reveal little known diversity in this important zoonotic pathogen.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

African Lineage Brucella melitensis Isolates from Omani Livestock

et al. 2018

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“…Brucella melitensis was confirmed as the cause of disease in British military personnel stationed in Malta by David Bruce in 1887 [20]. However, credit goes to Themistocles Zammit for demonstrating that the source of human infection was goats’ milk [21,22]. Similarly, over the following decades Brucella species were found to be associated with additional hosts, including Brucella abortus in cattle [23], B. suis in swine [24], Brucella canis in dogs [25], B. ovis in sheep [26] and Brucella neotomae in the desert wood rat [27].…”

Section: Current Scientific Disputesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brucella Taxonomy and Evolution

Ficht

2010

Future Microbiol.

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Taxonomy and nomenclature represent man-made systems designed to enhance understanding of the relationship between organisms by comparison of discrete sets of properties. Initial efforts at bacterial taxonomy were flawed as a result of the previous use of nonsystematic approaches including common names resulting in confusing and inaccurate nomenclature. A decision was made to start afresh with bacterial nomenclature and to avoid the hazards experienced in the taxonomic classification of higher organisms. This was achieved by developing new rules designed to simplify classification and avoid unnecessary and confusing changes. This article reviews the work of a number of scientists attempting to reconcile new molecular data describing the phylogenetic relationship between Brucella organisms and a broader family of organisms with widely variant phenotypes that include human virulence and host range against a backdrop of strict regulatory requirements that fail to recognize significant differences between organisms with similar nomenclature.

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“…Therefore, in 1906 a decision was made to ban goat's milk consumption as a preemptive measure to control the disease among the British army. However, Malta fever was not eradicated in the region and suspicions arose regarding the consumption of ice-cream, cheese, and fudge made from contaminated milk (1, 2).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Immune Response to Mucosal Brucella Infection

et al. 2019

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Brucellosis is one of the most prevalent bacterial zoonosis of worldwide distribution. The disease is caused by Brucella spp., facultative intracellular pathogens. Brucellosis in animals results in abortion of fetuses, while in humans, it frequently manifests flu-like symptoms and a typical undulant fever, being osteoarthritis a common complication of the chronic infection. The two most common ways to acquire the infection in humans are through the ingestion of contaminated dairy products or by inhalation of contaminated aerosols. Brucella spp. enter the body mainly through the gastrointestinal and respiratory mucosa; however, most studies of immune response to Brucella spp. are performed analyzing models of systemic immunity. It is necessary to better understand the mucosal immune response induced by Brucella infection since this is the main entry site for the bacterium. In this review, some virulence factors and the mechanisms needed for pathogen invasion and persistence are discussed. Furthermore, some aspects of local immune responses induced during Brucella infection will be reviewed. With this knowledge, better vaccines can be designed focused on inducing protective mucosal immune response.

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How Themistocles Zammit found Malta Fever (Brucellosis) to be Transmitted by the Milk of Goats

Cited by 17 publications

References 10 publications

African Lineage Brucella melitensis Isolates from Omani Livestock

African Lineage Brucella melitensis Isolates from Omani Livestock

Brucella Taxonomy and Evolution

Immune Response to Mucosal Brucella Infection

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