Molecular Characterization of
            <i>Brucella</i>
            Strains Isolated from Marine Mammals

Bricker, Betsy J.; Ewalt, Darla R.; MacMillan, Alastair; Foster, Geoffrey; Brew, Simon D.

doi:10.1128/jcm.38.3.1258-1262.2000

Cited by 125 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Plasmid DNA was extracted using a QIAprep miniprep kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA), quantified using a NanoDrop 1000 spectrophotometer (Thermo Scientific, Waltham, MA), serially diluted, and analyzed by qPCR to establish a correspondence between C q values and IS711 quantity. Following qPCR of tissue samples, the IS711 quantity was then determined based on the calibration curve and converted to B. neotomae genome equivalents by dividing by the IS711 copy number in B. neotomae 5K33 (n ϭ 8) inferred from previously published Southern blots (52) and the genome sequence (accession number KN046827.1).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brucella neotomae Recapitulates Attributes of Zoonotic Human Disease in a Murine Infection Model

Kang

Brown

2019

Infect Immun

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Members of the genus Brucella are Gram-negative pathogens that cause chronic systemic infection in farm animals and zoonotic infection in humans. Study of the genus Brucella has been hindered by the need for biosafety level 3 select agent containment. Brucella neotomae, originally isolated from the desert pack rat, presented an opportunity to develop an alternative, non-select agent experimental model. Our prior in vitro work indicated that the cell biology and type IV secretion system (T4SS) dependence of B. neotomae intracellular replication were similar to observations for humanpathogenic select agent Brucella species. Therefore, here, we investigated the pathobiology of B. neotomae infection in the BALB/c mouse. During a sustained infectious course, B. neotomae replicated and persisted in reticuloendothelial organs. Bioluminescent imaging and histopathological and PCR-based analysis demonstrated that the T4SS contributed to efficient early infection of the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes; granuloma formation and hepatosplenomegaly; and early induction of Th1-associated cytokine gene expression. The infectious course and pathologies in the murine model showed similarity to prior observations of primate and native host infection with zoonotic Brucella species. Therefore, the B. neotomae BALB/c infection model offers a promising system to accelerate and complement experimental work in the genus Brucella. KEYWORDS Brucella, Brucella neotomae, brucellosis, bioluminescent imaging, murine model, pathogenesis, pathology, type IV secretion system, undulant fever M embers of the genus Brucella, Gram-negative coccobacilli, cause systemic bacterial infections in domesticated farm animals and other vertebrates (1). Humans may be infected through ingestion of unpasteurized dairy products, inhalation of organisms from birthing farm animals, and during occupational exposure in abattoir and meat packing industries. Disease in humans is characterized by chronicity and a waxing and waning fever (so-called undulant fever). Lymph node infection and enlargement are common (2); endovascular and osteoarticular infection are unwelcome and not infrequent complications (3,4).Based on the low aerosol infectious dose and debilitating disease, the major zoonotic species, Brucella melitensis, Brucella abortus, and Brucella suis, are classified as biosafety level 3, category B overlap select agents (5). Biosafety containment and select agent regulations represent significant impediments to experimental investigation.Brucella organisms have been studied in several in vitro and in vivo model systems (6)(7)(8)(9). In vitro assays have demonstrated the capability of Brucella species to grow within specialized vacuoles inside of macrophages, endothelial cells, and other cell types. In particular, Brucella species alter the normal process of phagosomal maturation. Remodeling of the phagosome occurs in a temporal fashion in which organisms are first found within endocytic vacuoles that subsequently take on properties of the endoplasmic reticulum an...

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brucella neotomae Recapitulates Attributes of Zoonotic Human Disease in a Murine Infection Model

Kang

Brown

2019

Infect Immun

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“…Characterization of isolates obtained from a wide range of marine mammal species, by conventional typing methods, as well as by restriction length fragment polymorphism (RLFP), and by PCR and sequencing, has revealed that they should be classified as distinct species, Brucella ceti and Brucella pinnipedialis in whales and seals, respectively, and not be regarded as classical bacterial species from terrestrial mammals invading new host species (Jahans et al., ; Clavareau et al., ; Bricker et al., ; Maquart et al., ).…”

Section: Specific Human Pathogens Present In Marine Mammalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Pathogens in Marine Mammal Meat – A Northern Perspective

Tryland

Nesbakken

Robertson

et al. 2013

Zoonoses and Public Health

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Only a few countries worldwide hunt seals and whales commercially. In Norway, hooded and harp seals and minke whales are commercially harvested, and coastal seals (harbour and grey seals) are hunted as game. Marine mammal meat is sold to the public and thus included in general microbiological meat control regulations. Slaughtering and dressing of marine mammals are performed in the open air on deck, and many factors on board sealing or whaling vessels may affect meat quality, such as the ice used for cooling whale meat and the seawater used for cleaning, storage of whale meat in the open air until ambient temperature is reached, and the hygienic conditions of equipment, decks, and other surfaces. Based on existing reports, it appears that meat of seal and whale does not usually represent a microbiological hazard to consumers in Norway, because human disease has not been associated with consumption of such foods. However, as hygienic control on marine mammal meat is ad hoc, mainly based on spot-testing, and addresses very few human pathogens, this conclusion may be premature. Additionally, few data from surveys or systematic quality control screenings have been published. This review examines the occurrence of potential human pathogens in marine mammals, as well as critical points for contamination of meat during the slaughter, dressing, cooling, storage and processing of meat. Some zoonotic agents are of particular relevance as foodborne pathogens, such as Trichinella spp., Toxoplasma gondii, Salmonella and Leptospira spp. In addition, Mycoplasma spp. parapoxvirus and Mycobacterium spp. constitute occupational risks during handling of marine mammals and marine mammal products. Adequate training in hygienic procedures is necessary to minimize the risk of contamination on board, and acquiring further data is essential for obtaining a realistic assessment of the microbiological risk to humans from consuming marine mammal meat.

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“…It is an acute or chronic zoonotic infection usually transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected animals or by eating contaminated food from infected animals (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, or another animals) or food products such as unpasteurized milk, cheese or inhalation of contaminated air or dust particles and exposure is frequently occupational [1][2][3][4]. The prevalence of brucellosis has been increasing due to growing international tourism and migration of peoples [5,6]. It is an important cause of economic loss and public health problems and is one of the important human infections in many developing countries or parts of the world.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although this disease is now uncommon in the United States and Britain but common in the Latin America, Africa, Mediterranean and Persian Gulf regions and parts of Asia specially in Iran [1-8, 32, 39]. Brucellosis has high morbidity both for animals or humans and one of the causes of abortion in animals but in humans it causes multisystem disease [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]44]. Brucellosis is not uncommon in many parts of the world but human-to-human transmission, for example, through sexual intercourse, mother to newborn is rare, Please use Adobe Acrobat Reader to read this book chapter for free.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neonatal Brucellosis

Eghbalian¹

2020

New Insight Into Brucella Infection and Foodborne Diseases

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Brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by the Brucella bacteria. Neonatal brucellosis is very rare and preventable and is an example of intrauterine infection, but clinical manifestations as well as transmission route are not well defined but presumed transplacental transmission. The neonate can be either infected transplacentally, or by ingestion of mother's secretions and blood during delivery, or by ingestion of breast milk. Presentation of the neonatal brucellosis including fever, arthralgia, weakness, malaise, respiratory distress, pneumonia, enlargement of liver and spleen, fever, thrombocytopenia, late neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, and septicoemia. The diagnosis of brucellosis was based on a positive blood culture (isolation Brucella of blood culture from both the mother and the neonate or only neonate) and on a high or rising titer of antibodies to the Brucella organism (positive serology only in the mother or both). The neonates with negative Brucella serology may also have Brucella infection. The mortality rate is very high, and infected neonates need early detection and timely treatment. Early detection and treatment reduce the incidence of complications. The treatment of rifampicin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole is useful for neonatal brucellosis. More patients with neonatal brucellosis well respond to antibiotic therapy and must monitor by a Brucella titer of <1:40.

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Molecular Characterization of Brucella Strains Isolated from Marine Mammals

Cited by 125 publications

References 15 publications

Brucella neotomae Recapitulates Attributes of Zoonotic Human Disease in a Murine Infection Model

Brucella neotomae Recapitulates Attributes of Zoonotic Human Disease in a Murine Infection Model

Human Pathogens in Marine Mammal Meat – A Northern Perspective

Neonatal Brucellosis

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