<i>Brucella melitensis</i>
            , a latent “travel bacterium,” continual spread and expansion from Northern to Southern China and its relationship to worldwide lineages

Zhu, Xiong; Zhao, Zhongzhi; Ma, Shuyi; Guo, Zhuang; Wang, Miao; Li, Zhenjun; Liu, Zhiguo

doi:10.1080/22221751.2020.1788995

Cited by 38 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Globally, despite the remarkable results achieved by the majority of industrialized countries, where bovine brucellosis has been eradicated or controlled, small ruminant brucellosis remains a problem in some of these countries ( 38 ). Our current study confirmed that B. melitensis is a latent “travel bacterium” that continuously spreads and expands from Northern China to Southern China ( 39 ). From 1970 to 2015, B. melitensis has been the pathogen isolated most frequently in human cases, accounting for more than 99% of Brucella spp.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Investigation of Genetic Relatedness of Brucella Strains in Countries Along the Silk Road

et al. 2021

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In this study, MLVA (multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis) genotype data of Brucella strains from 11 countries along the Silk Road were downloaded from the MLVAbank. MLVA data of strains were applied to the constructed Minimum Spanning Tree to explore the species/biovars distribution, geographic origins, and genetic relationships of the strains analyzed. Moreover, whole-genome sequencing–single-nucleotide polymorphism (WGS-SNP) phylogenetic analysis of the genome of Brucella melitensis strains from GenBank was performed to discriminate the relatedness of strains further and investigate the transmission pattern of B. melitensis brucellosis. A total of 1,503 Brucella strains were analyzed in this study: 431 Brucella abortus strains (29.8%), 1,009 B. melitensis strains (65.7%), and 63 Brucella suis strains (4.5%). B. melitensis biovar 3 was the dominant species and was shown to be widespread in all of the examined regions, suggesting that the prevention and surveillance of the B. melitensis population are a main challenge in these countries. A wide host spectrum was observed for this Brucella population; many animal reservoirs are a potential reason for the continuous brucellosis circulation in these countries. Although the B. abortus strains from the examined regions had common geographic origins, only a few shared genotypes were observed in different countries. These data revealed that the majority of B. abortus strains were spreading within the national borders. However, the B. melitensis strains from Italy originated from a Western Mediterranean lineage; strains from the other 10 countries originated from Eastern Mediterranean lineage, and this lineage was shared by strains from three to nine different countries, suggesting that the introduction and reintroduction of the disease in the 10 countries might have occurred in the past. Furthermore, the most shared MLVA-16 genotypes were formed in the B. melitensis strains from China, Kazakhstan, and Turkey, suggesting that the introduction and trade in sheep and goats have occurred frequently in these countries. WGS-SNP analysis showed that the B. melitensis in this study originated from the Malta (Italy) region. According to their territorial affiliation between four clade strains from these countries in genotype B, the absence of a clear differentiation suggests that strains continuously expand and spread in countries along with Silk Road. Active exchange and trade of animals (sheep and goats) among these countries are reasonable explanations. B. suis strains from different nations showed unique geographic origins and epidemiological characteristics. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the control of transfer and trade of infected sheep (goats) in countries along the Silk Road, namely, the strengthening of the entry–exit quarantine of sheep and goats and improvements in the diagnosis of animal brucellosis.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Investigation of Genetic Relatedness of Brucella Strains in Countries Along the Silk Road

et al. 2021

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“…The comprehensive molecular epidemiological and phylogenetic analysis of the B. abortus strains nationwide are useful for improving the surveillance and control program to determine the risk factors associated with brucellosis in humans. In this study, 100 B. abortus were collected from 1953 to 2013, indicating that B. abortus strains have circulated in China for the past several decades, but the strain numbers were lower than those of B. melitensis [29]. This observation is in agreement with a report that B. abortus was a secondary pathogen agent for brucellosis in China [6].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…The 85% strains were distributed in traditional and domestic animals breeding developed provinces, providing helpful information for disease control and prevention. However, the distribution range of this species is different from that of the B. melitensis strains, which cover all mainland regions in China [30]. Similarly, the most frequently recorded B. abortus biovar is biovar 3 in the Republic of Kazakhstan.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Molecular Epidemiology Characteristics of Brucella abortus Strains in China and Their Relationships with World Lineages

Wang¹,

Zhao²,

Wang³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Brucella abortus is a facultative intracellular Gram-negative bacterium that causes chronic persistent infections in humans and livestock. In this study, conventional bio-typing, multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA), and whole-genome sequencing-single-nucleotide polymorphism (WGS-SNP) were used to investigate the molecular epidemiology characteristics of Brucella abortus strains in China and their relationships to world lineages. A total of 100 strains were collected from 1953 to 2013, suggesting that B. abortus circulated in China in the past five decades. Moreover, most strains were mainly distributed in the northwest area. During this period, seven biovars were found, indicating that B. abortus displayed a high diversity of biovars and that the main epidemic areas are in the northern provinces. Strains have high genetic diversity, and bruce07 is the most helpful locus for genotyping of this population. Moreover, 17 MLVA-11 genotypes were found; 13 of them are of known genotypes and four are unassigned genotypes, indicating that B. abortus in this study had several geographic origins. Still, strains from unassigned genotypes may originate from China. Many shared MLVA-16 genotypes were observed in strains from the same provinces in Northern China, which confirmed a brucellosis outbreak within northern regions. WGS-SNP analysis showed that eight Chinese strains formed a ladder-like phylogram (C. Ⅶ) with strains from nine countries, including Uganda, Iraq, Russia, Georgia, Spain, Italy, Egypt, Mongolia, and China; strains were introduced to these countries from a single source. Notably, Chinese strains were closely related to strains from Russia and Mongolia; frequent animal (cattle) trade and exchanges may promote this process. We will provide new and insightful information for strength surveillance and control of B. abortus brucellosis in China.

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“…In this study, 100 B. abortus were collected from 1953 to 2013, indicating that B. abortus strains have circulated in China for the past several decades, but the strain numbers were lower than those of B. melitensis [38]. This observation is in agreement with a report that B. abortus was a secondary pathogen agent for brucellosis in China [9].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…The 85% strains were distributed in traditional and domestic animals breeding developed provinces, providing helpful information for disease control and prevention. However, the distribution range of this species is different from that of the B. melitensis strains, which cover all mainland regions in China [39]. Similarly, the most frequently recorded B. abortus biovar is biovar 3 in the Republic of Kazakhstan.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Molecular Epidemiology Characteristics of Brucella Abortus Strains in China and Their Relationships With World Lineages

Wang

Zhao

Wang³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background Brucella abortus is a facultative intracellular Gram-negative bacterium that causes chronic persistent infections in humans and livestock. In this study, conventional bio-typing, multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA), and whole-genome sequencing-single-nucleotide polymorphism (WGS-SNP) were used to investigate the molecular epidemiology characteristics of Brucella abortus strains in China and their relationships to world lineages. Results A total of 100 strains were collected from 1953 to 2013, suggesting that B. abortus circulated in China in the past five decades. Moreover, most strains were mainly distributed in the Northwest areas, suggest that provinces in the Northwest were a dominant epidemic area of this disease. During this period, seven biovars were found, indicating that B. abortus had a high diversity of biovars and it is also a potential reason for the disease ongoing spread in the Northern provinces. Strains have high genetic diversity, and bruce07 is the most helpful locus for genotyping of this population. Moreover, 17 MLVA-11 genotypes were found; 13 of them are of known genotypes and four are unassigned genotypes, indicating that B. abortus in this study had several geographic origins. Still, strains from unassigned genotypes may originate from China. Many shared MLVA-16 genotypes were observed in strains from the same provinces in Northern China, which confirmed a B. abortus brucellosis outbreak within Northern regions. WGS-SNP analysis showed that eight Chinese strains formed a ladder-like phylogram (C. Ⅶ) with strains from nine countries, including Uganda, Iraq, Russia, Georgia, Spain, Italy, Egypt, Mongolia, and China; suggest that strains were introduced to these countries from a single source. Conclusions Chinese B. abortus strains had high biovars and genetic diversity as well as represent characteristics of multiple geographic origins, and B. abortus strains from several mainly epidemic areas were closely related to strains from Russia and Mongolia; frequent animal (cattle) trade and exchanges may promote this process. We will provide new and valuable information to strengthening surveillance and control of B. abortus brucellosis in China.

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Brucella melitensis , a latent “travel bacterium,” continual spread and expansion from Northern to Southern China and its relationship to worldwide lineages

Cited by 38 publications

References 45 publications

Investigation of Genetic Relatedness of Brucella Strains in Countries Along the Silk Road

Investigation of Genetic Relatedness of Brucella Strains in Countries Along the Silk Road

Molecular Epidemiology Characteristics of Brucella abortus Strains in China and Their Relationships with World Lineages

Molecular Epidemiology Characteristics of Brucella Abortus Strains in China and Their Relationships With World Lineages

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