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International Journal of Molecular... May 2022Brucellae are Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile coccobacilli causing brucellosis in man and animals. The disease is one of the most significant yet neglected global...
Brucellae are Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile coccobacilli causing brucellosis in man and animals. The disease is one of the most significant yet neglected global zoonoses. Especially in developing countries, brucellosis is causing public health problems and economic losses to private animal owners and national revenues. Composed of oligonucleotides, aptamers are chemical analogues of antibodies that are promising components for developing aptamer-based rapid, sensitive, and specific tests to identify the group of bacteria. For this purpose, aptamers were generated and selected by an enhanced protocol of cell systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (cell-SELEX). This enhanced cell-SELEX procedure involved the combination of both conventional and toggle cell-SELEX to boost the specificity and binding affinity to whole cells. This procedure, combined with high-throughput sequencing of the resulting aptamer pools, comprehensive bioinformatics analysis, and wet lab validation assays, led to the selection of a highly sensitive and specific aptamer for those species known to circulate in Egypt. The isolated candidate aptamer showed dissociation constant (K) values of 43.5 ± 11, 61.5 ± 8, and 56 ± 10.8 nM for , , and , respectively. This is the first development of a -specific aptamer using an enhanced combination of conventional and toggle cell-SELEX to the authors' best knowledge.
Topics: Aptamers, Nucleotide; Brucella; Brucellosis; Humans; Ligands; SELEX Aptamer Technique
PubMed: 35682807
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116131 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases 1997Brucellosis remains a major zoonosis worldwide. Although many countries have eradicated Brucella abortus from cattle, in some areas Brucella melitensis has emerged as a... (Review)
Review
Brucellosis remains a major zoonosis worldwide. Although many countries have eradicated Brucella abortus from cattle, in some areas Brucella melitensis has emerged as a cause of infection in this species as well as in sheep and goats. Despite vaccination campaigns with the Rev 1 strain, B. melitensis remains the principal cause of human brucellosis. Brucella suis is also emerging as an agent of infection in cattle, thus extending its opportunities to infect humans. The recent isolation of distinctive strains of Brucella from marine mammals has extended its ecologic range. Molecular genetic studies have demonstrated phylogenetic affiliation to Agrobacterium, Phyllobacterium, Ochrobactrum, and Rhizobium. Polymerase chain reaction and gene probe development may provide more effective typing methods. Pathogenicity is related to production of lipopolysaccharides containing a poly N-formyl perosamine O chain, CuZn superoxide dismutase, erythrlose phosphate dehydrogenase, stress-induced proteins related to intracellular survival, and adenine and guanine monophosphate inhibitors of phagocyte functions. Protective immunity is conferred by antibody to lipopolysaccharide and T-cell-mediated macrophage activation triggered by protein antigens. Diagnosis still centers on isolation of the organism and serologic test results, especially enzyme immunoassay, which is replacing other methods. Polymerase chain reaction is also under evaluation. Therapy is based on tetracyclines with or without rifampicin, aminoglycosides, or quinolones. No satisfactory vaccines against human brucellosis are available, although attenuated purE mutants appear promising.
Topics: Animals; Antigens, Bacterial; Brucella; Brucellosis; Cattle; Humans
PubMed: 9204307
DOI: 10.3201/eid0302.970219 -
Pan-Proteomic Analysis and Elucidation of Protein Abundance among the Closely Related Species, and .Biomolecules May 2020Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection caused by bacteria of the genus . The species, and , major causative agents of human brucellosis, share remarkably similar genomes,...
Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection caused by bacteria of the genus . The species, and , major causative agents of human brucellosis, share remarkably similar genomes, but they differ in their natural hosts, phenotype, antigenic, immunogenic, proteomic and metabolomic properties. In the present study, label-free quantitative proteomic analysis was applied to investigate protein expression level differences. Type strains and field strains were each cultured six times, cells were harvested at a midlogarithmic growth phase and proteins were extracted. Following trypsin digestion, the peptides were desalted, separated by reverse-phase nanoLC, ionized using electrospray ionization and transferred into an linear trap quadrapole (LTQ) Orbitrap Velos mass spectrometer to record full scan MS spectra ( 300-1700) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) spectra of the 20 most intense ions. Database matching with the reference proteomes resulted in the identification of 826 proteins. The Cluster of Gene Ontologies of the identified proteins revealed differences in bimolecular transport and protein synthesis mechanisms between these two strains. Among several other proteins, antifreeze proteins, Omp10, superoxide dismutase and 30S ribosomal protein S14 were predicted as potential virulence factors among the proteins differentially expressed. All mass spectrometry data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD006348.
Topics: Bacterial Proteins; Brucella abortus; Brucella melitensis; Proteomics; Species Specificity
PubMed: 32486122
DOI: 10.3390/biom10060836 -
Journal of Clinical Microbiology Aug 2023Bacteria of the genus Brucella are facultative intracellular parasites that cause brucellosis, a severe animal and human disease. Recently, a group of taxonomists merged...
Bacteria of the genus Brucella are facultative intracellular parasites that cause brucellosis, a severe animal and human disease. Recently, a group of taxonomists merged the brucellae with the primarily free-living, phylogenetically related spp. in the genus Brucella. This change, founded only on global genomic analysis and the fortuitous isolation of some opportunistic spp. from medically compromised patients, has been automatically included in culture collections and databases. We argue that clinical and environmental microbiologists should not accept this nomenclature, and we advise against its use because (i) it was presented without in-depth phylogenetic analyses and did not consider alternative taxonomic solutions; (ii) it was launched without the input of experts in brucellosis or ; (iii) it applies a non-consensus genus concept that disregards taxonomically relevant differences in structure, physiology, population structure, core-pangenome assemblies, genome structure, genomic traits, clinical features, treatment, prevention, diagnosis, genus description rules, and, above all, pathogenicity; and (iv) placing these two bacterial groups in the same genus creates risks for veterinarians, medical doctors, clinical laboratories, health authorities, and legislators who deal with brucellosis, a disease that is particularly relevant in low- and middle-income countries. Based on all this information, we urge microbiologists, bacterial collections, genomic databases, journals, and public health boards to keep the Brucella and genera separate to avoid further bewilderment and harm.
Topics: Ochrobactrum; Brucella; Terminology as Topic; Phylogeny; Brucellosis; Humans; Opportunistic Infections
PubMed: 37395662
DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00438-23 -
Veterinary Microbiology Jun 2013Bovine brucellosis is an endemic infectious disease which can impact cattle productivity and welfare negatively, as well as human health. Sufficient knowledge on its... (Review)
Review
Bovine brucellosis is an endemic infectious disease which can impact cattle productivity and welfare negatively, as well as human health. Sufficient knowledge on its epidemiology, particularly on species and biotypes of Brucella at national and/or regional scale are important to set up and implement efficient control measures against brucellosis in a "One health" perspective. The main objective of this review was to investigate available literature on strains of Brucella in order to provide a state of art-knowledge on species and biovars reported in cattle from West Africa. A literature search was conducted to identify relevant data on species and biovars of Brucella in cattle from Western African countries. This search included studies presenting bacteriological and/or molecular results of identification and typing, relied on international classification methods with no time limit and no language restrictions. Studies reporting results of identification at genus level only were not considered for this review. This review revealed that Brucella abortus was the most prevalent species in cattle from West Africa, in line with host preference for Brucellae. So far, biovars 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and intermediate biovar 3/6 of B. abortus were reported in cattle in the region. Among these strains, biovars 3, recently identified in The Gambia and Ivory Coast, was the most commonly isolated. Brucella melitensis and/or B. suis have not been mentioned yet in cattle in this part of Africa. The public health significance of prevailing strains is discussed and a regional collaborative control program of brucellosis is suggested.
Topics: Africa, Western; Animals; Bacterial Typing Techniques; Brucella; Brucellosis; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Host-Parasite Interactions; Prevalence
PubMed: 23499188
DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2013.02.009 -
International Journal of Infectious... Apr 2012Although almost a century has gone by since its first description in the country, Turkey has not been able to eradicate brucellosis, which remains a major public health... (Review)
Review
Although almost a century has gone by since its first description in the country, Turkey has not been able to eradicate brucellosis, which remains a major public health problem. In this review, we give an overview of the epidemiological and epizootic status of brucellosis in Turkey. Although little readily accessible data concerning the epidemiology of brucellosis in Turkey are available, the limited official and published data were analyzed. Despite being endemic in Turkey, brucellosis remains under-diagnosed and under-reported. Adherence to traditional farming practices and lifestyles and the consumption of fresh dairy produce contribute to the high incidence of brucellosis. The successful implementation of a national brucellosis control program requires strong political will, good funding, and collaboration, especially between the public health and veterinary sectors. Primary healthcare workers should always keep the symptoms of acute and chronic brucellosis in mind when treating patients.
Topics: Animals; Brucella; Brucellosis; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Incidence; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Turkey; Virulence; Zoonoses
PubMed: 22333223
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2011.12.011 -
Croatian Medical Journal Aug 2010Here we present a review of most of the currently used polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods for identification of Brucella bacteria in biological samples. We... (Review)
Review
Here we present a review of most of the currently used polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods for identification of Brucella bacteria in biological samples. We focused in particular on methods using single-pair primers, multiplex primers, real-time PCRs, PCRs for marine Brucella, and PCRs for molecular biotyping. These methods are becoming very important tools for the identification of Brucella, at the species level and recently also at the biovar level. These techniques require minimum biological containment and can provide results in a very short time. In addition, genetic fingerprinting of isolates aid in epidemiological studies of the disease and its control. PCR-based methods are more useful and practical than conventional methods used to identify Brucella spp., and new methods for Brucella spp. identification and typing are still being developed. However, the sensitivity, specificity, and issues of quality control and quality assurance using these methods must be fully validated on clinical samples before PCR can be used in routine laboratory testing for brucellosis.
Topics: Animals; Brucella; Brucellosis; DNA, Bacterial; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Humans; Molecular Typing; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Quality Assurance, Health Care; Quality Control; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 20718083
DOI: 10.3325/cmj.2010.51.306 -
Acta Crystallographica. Section F,... Jan 2022Members of the bacterial genus Brucella cause brucellosis, a zoonotic disease that affects both livestock and wildlife. Brucella are category B infectious agents that...
Members of the bacterial genus Brucella cause brucellosis, a zoonotic disease that affects both livestock and wildlife. Brucella are category B infectious agents that can be aerosolized for biological warfare. As part of the structural genomics studies at the Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease (SSGCID), FolM alternative dihydrofolate reductases 1 from Brucella suis and Brucella canis were produced and their structures are reported. The enzymes share ∼95% sequence identity but have less than 33% sequence identity to other homologues with known structure. The structures are prototypical NADPH-dependent short-chain reductases that share their highest tertiary-structural similarity with protozoan pteridine reductases, which are being investigated for rational therapeutic development.
Topics: Brucella canis; Brucella suis; Brucellosis; Crystallography, X-Ray; Humans; Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase
PubMed: 34981773
DOI: 10.1107/S2053230X21013078 -
FEMS Microbiology Reviews May 2012Bacteria of the genus Brucella are Gram-negative pathogens of several animal species that cause a zoonotic disease in humans known as brucellosis or Malta fever. Within... (Review)
Review
Bacteria of the genus Brucella are Gram-negative pathogens of several animal species that cause a zoonotic disease in humans known as brucellosis or Malta fever. Within their hosts, brucellae reside within different cell types where they establish a replicative niche and remain protected from the immune response. The aim of this article is to discuss recent advances in the field in the specific context of the Brucella intracellular 'lifestyle'. We initially discuss the different host cell targets and their relevance during infection. As it represents the key to intracellular replication, the focus is then set on the maturation of the Brucella phagosome, with particular emphasis on the Brucella factors that are directly implicated in intracellular trafficking and modulation of host cell signalling pathways. Recent data on the role of the type IV secretion system are discussed, novel effector molecules identified and how some of them impact on trafficking events. Current knowledge on Brucella gene regulation and control of host cell death are summarized, as they directly affect intracellular persistence. Understanding how Brucella molecules interplay with their host cell targets to modulate cellular functions and establish the intracellular niche will help unravel how this pathogen causes disease.
Topics: Animals; Bacterial Secretion Systems; Brucella; Brucellosis; Cell Death; Gene Expression Regulation; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Virulence Factors
PubMed: 22373010
DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6976.2012.00334.x -
Microbes and Infection Jul 2008Dr David Bruce (1855-1931) first identified the causative agent of brucellosis as a small Gram-negative alpha-Proteobacterium, which was later on called Brucella... (Review)
Review
Dr David Bruce (1855-1931) first identified the causative agent of brucellosis as a small Gram-negative alpha-Proteobacterium, which was later on called Brucella melitensis in his honor by Meyer and Shaw. Nowadays, four strains exhibit pathogenicity in humans with B. melitensis being the least host specific and also the most infectious for humans. The other strains are Brucella suis and Brucella abortus and more recently human cases being infected with Brucella cetaceae have been reported. Why such a reemerging disease is so difficult to fight, evidence shows that the pathogenic bacterium has developed strategies to hide from immune recognition.
Topics: Brucella; Brucella Vaccine; Brucellosis; Dendritic Cells; Humans
PubMed: 18664389
DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2008.07.007