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Polish Journal of Microbiology Jun 2018Brucellae are Gram-negative, small rods infecting mammals and capable of causing disease called brucellosis. The infection results in abortion and sterility in domestic... (Review)
Review
Brucellae are Gram-negative, small rods infecting mammals and capable of causing disease called brucellosis. The infection results in abortion and sterility in domestic animals (sheeps, pigs, rams etc). Especially dangerous for humans are: Brucella melitensis, Brucella suis, Brucella abortus, and Brucella canis that trigger unspecific symptoms (flu-like manifestation). Brucella rods are introduced via host cells, by inhalation, skin abrasions, ingestion or mucosal membranes. The most important feature of Brucella is the ability to survive and multiply within both phagocytic and non-phagocytic cells. Brucella does not produce classical virulence factors: exotoxin, cytolisins, exoenzymes, plasmids, fimbria, and drug resistant forms. Major virulence factors are: lipopolysaccharide (LPS), T4SS secretion system and BvrR/BvrS system, which allow interaction with host cell surface, formation of an early, late BCV (Brucella Containing Vacuole) and interaction with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) when the bacteria multiply. The treatment of brucellosis is based on two-drug therapy, the most common combinations of antibiotics are: doxycycline with rifampicin or fluoroquinolones with rifampicin. Currently, also other methods are used to disrupt Brucella intracellular replication (tauroursodeoxycholic acid or ginseng saponin fraction A).
Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Brucella; Brucellosis; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Lipopolysaccharides; Macrophages; Sheep; Swine; Type IV Secretion Systems; Virulence Factors
PubMed: 30015453
DOI: 10.21307/pjm-2018-029 -
The Journal of Small Animal Practice Jun 2019There is a recent trend to feed pet dogs and cats in Britain and other developed countries on raw meat and animal by-products using either commercial preparations or... (Review)
Review
There is a recent trend to feed pet dogs and cats in Britain and other developed countries on raw meat and animal by-products using either commercial preparations or home recipes. This shift from heat-treated processed food has been driven by perceived health benefits to pets and a suspicion of industrially produced pet food. The diets of wild-living related species have been used as a rationale for raw feeding, but differences in biology and lifestyle impose limitations on such comparisons. Formal evidence does exist for claims by raw-feeding proponents of an altered intestinal microbiome and (subjectively) improved stool quality. However, there is currently neither robust evidence nor identified plausible mechanisms for many of the wide range of other claimed benefits. There are documented risks associated with raw feeding, principally malnutrition (inexpert formulation and testing of diets) and infection affecting pets and/or household members. Surveys in Europe and North America have consistently found Salmonella species in a proportion of samples, typically of fresh-frozen commercial diets. Another emerging issue concerns the risk of introducing antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Raw pet food commonly exceeds hygiene thresholds for counts of Enterobacteriaceae. These bacteria often encode resistance to critically important antibiotics such as extended-spectrum cephalosporins, and raw-fed pets create an elevated risk of shedding such resistant bacteria. Other infectious organisms that may be of concern include Listeria, shiga toxigenic E scherichia coli , parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii and exotic agents such as the zoonotic livestock pathogen Brucella suis, recently identified in European Union and UK raw pet meat imported from Argentina.
Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Diet; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Europe; Zoonoses
PubMed: 31025713
DOI: 10.1111/jsap.13000 -
Veterinary Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) 2017is a significant zoonotic species that is present in domestic livestock and wildlife in many countries worldwide. Transmission from animal reservoirs is the source of... (Review)
Review
is a significant zoonotic species that is present in domestic livestock and wildlife in many countries worldwide. Transmission from animal reservoirs is the source of human infection as human-to-human transmission is very rare. Although swine brucellosis causes economic losses in domestic livestock, preventing human infection is the primary reason for its emphasis in disease control programs. Although disease prevalence varies worldwide, in areas outside of Europe, swine brucellosis is predominantly caused by biovars 1 and 3. In Europe, swine are predominantly infected with biovar 2 which is much less pathogenic in humans. In many areas worldwide, feral or wild populations of swine are important reservoir hosts. Like other spp. in their natural host, has developed mechanisms to survive in an intracellular environment and evade immune detection. Limitations in sensitivity and specificity of current diagnostics require use at a herd level, rather for individual animals. There is currently no commercial vaccine approved for preventing brucellosis in swine. Although not feasible in all situations, whole-herd depopulation is the most effective regulatory mechanism to control swine brucellosis.
PubMed: 30050849
DOI: 10.2147/VMRR.S91360 -
Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and... Dec 2017Carbonic anhydrases have started to emerge as new potential antibacterial targets for several pathogens. Two β-carbonic anhydrases, denominated bsCA I and bsCA II, have... (Review)
Review
Carbonic anhydrases have started to emerge as new potential antibacterial targets for several pathogens. Two β-carbonic anhydrases, denominated bsCA I and bsCA II, have been isolated and characterized from the bacterial pathogen Brucella suis, the causative agent of brucellosis or Malta fever. These enzymes have been investigated in detail and a wide range of classical aromatic and heteroaromatic sulfonamides as well as carbohydrate-based compounds have been found to inhibit selectively and efficiently Brucella suis carbonic anhydrases. Inhibition of these metalloenzymes constitutes a novel approach for the potential development of new anti-Brucella agents. This review aims at discussing the recent literature on this topic.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Brucella suis; Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors; Carbonic Anhydrases; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Structure-Activity Relationship; Sulfonamides
PubMed: 28274160
DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2017.1295451 -
Microorganisms Aug 2022Brucellosis is one of the most important and widespread bacterial zoonoses worldwide. Cases are reported annually across the range of known infectious species of the... (Review)
Review
Brucellosis is one of the most important and widespread bacterial zoonoses worldwide. Cases are reported annually across the range of known infectious species of the genus Globally, , primarily hosted by domestic sheep and goats, affects large proportions of livestock herds, and frequently spills over into humans. While some species, such as , are well controlled in livestock in areas of North America, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem supports the species in native wild ungulates with occasional spillover to livestock. Elsewhere in North America, other species still infect domestic dogs and feral swine, with some associated human cases. spp. patterns vary across space globally with and the most important for livestock control. A myriad of other species within the genus infect a wide range of marine mammals, wildlife, rodents, and even frogs. Infection in humans from these others varies with geography and bacterial species. Control in humans is primarily achieved through livestock vaccination and culling and requires accurate and rapid species confirmation; vaccination is spp.-specific and typically targets single livestock species for distribution. Traditional bacteriology methods are slow (some media can take up to 21 days for bacterial growth) and often lack the specificity of molecular techniques. Here, we summarize the molecular techniques for confirming and identifying specific species and provide recommendations for selecting the appropriate methods based on need, sensitivity, and laboratory capabilities/technology. As vaccination/culling approaches are costly and logistically challenging, proper diagnostics and species identification are critical tools for targeting surveillance and control.
PubMed: 36014002
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081584 -
Journal of the American Veterinary... May 2022To evaluate the Brucella suis exposure status of pigs raised with outdoor access on farms in New York State and assess biosecurity and management practices of those...
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the Brucella suis exposure status of pigs raised with outdoor access on farms in New York State and assess biosecurity and management practices of those farms.
ANIMALS
250 pigs that were raised for commercial purposes, had access to the outdoors, and were > 4 months of age on 24 farms in New York State.
PROCEDURES
Farms were randomly selected from a sampling frame generated for the study and contacted to recruit them to participate. Participating farms were provided a questionnaire to complete. Up to 30 pigs per farm were tested for serum anti-Brucella antibodies.
RESULTS
Farm were classified as seasonal and year round. Seasonal farms raised pigs for slaughter, and year-round farms bred pigs, raised them for slaughter, and sold live pigs to others to raise. None of the 250 pigs had antibodies to Brucella spp. Nevertheless, the biosecurity assessment revealed a need for enhanced practices in procurement and management of swine in a wide range of areas.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
There was no evidence for ongoing B suis infection on these swine farms in New York State, but biosecurity and preventive practices at these facilities could be improved to prevent the introduction and spread of B suis and other pathogens.
Topics: Animal Husbandry; Animals; Biosecurity; Brucella suis; Farms; New York; Swine; Swine Diseases
PubMed: 35290201
DOI: 10.2460/javma.21.08.0399 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2021is a zoonotic disease of feral pigs that also affects pig hunting dogs, pig hunters, veterinarians and veterinary staff. In recent years the incidence of in the...
is a zoonotic disease of feral pigs that also affects pig hunting dogs, pig hunters, veterinarians and veterinary staff. In recent years the incidence of in the eastern Australian states of New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD) has increased. A cross-sectional study was conducted to document the seroprevalence, geographical extent and risk factors for in dogs at-risk of contracting the disease. Eligible dogs were those that were known to hunt or consume feral pig meat. Dogs were enrolled through private veterinary clinics and/or directly by District Veterinarians in six regions of NSW and QLD. Blood was collected by venepuncture and tested for antibodies using the Rose Bengal Test (RBT) followed by a Complement Fixation Test (CFT) if they returned a positive RBT. Owners were invited to complete a questionnaire on the dogs' signalment, husbandry including hunting practices and locations, and any clinical signs referable to brucellosis. Of the 317 dogs included in the prevalence survey, 21 were seropositive returning a survey-adjusted true seroprevalence of 9.3 (95% CI 0.45 to 18) positive dogs per 100 dogs at-risk. True seroprevalence ranged from 0 to 24 positive dogs per 100 across eastern Australia, with the highest prevalence in central west NSW and southern QLD. Adjusted for other factors, dogs that shared a household with other seropositive dogs and those that traveled away from their home regions to hunt were more likely to be seropositive. Clinical signs at presentation were not predictive of serostatus, with seropositive and seronegative dogs equally likely to present with signs consistent with brucellosis. The results obtained from this study show that exposure is relatively common in dogs that have contact with feral pigs, with one in 10 testing seropositive. Further studies are needed to understand the progression and risk of transmission from seropositive dogs.
PubMed: 34621810
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.727641 -
Veterinary Microbiology Jun 2019Swine brucellosis due to Brucella suis biovar 2 (bv2) is enzootic in wild boar and hare in continental Europe and may cause major economic losses to the pig industry,...
Swine brucellosis due to Brucella suis biovar 2 (bv2) is enzootic in wild boar and hare in continental Europe and may cause major economic losses to the pig industry, mainly in free-ranged pig farms. The high nucleotide identity found among the B. suis biovar 2 isolates has long hindered the full understanding of the epidemiology and the phylogeography of the disease. Here, we used multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat (VNTR) analysis (MLVA) and whole-genome analysis to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in order to gain insights from the largest B. suis bv2 dataset analyzed so far composed of domestic pigs and wildlife isolates collected throughout Europe since the 1970s. We found four major clades with a specific phylogeographic pattern. The Iberian clade contains isolates exclusively from the Iberian Peninsula. The Central European clade includes most isolates from France, Northern Italy, Switzerland and an important proportion of those of Northern Spain. The Eastern European clade clustered isolates from Croatia and Hungary mainly but also from areas of France, Germany, Italy and Poland. Finally, a separated Sardinian clade grouped three isolates from this island. At fine scale, MLVA demonstrated an endemic status of the infection in Europe and it allowed tracking a large outbreak formed by different farms from Spain linked to the same infection source. The whole genome SNP analysis showed that the strains form genetically distinct clades, shared between wild boar and pigs, in agreement with the MLVA clades. Interestingly, all hare isolates clustered together within two groups composed exclusively of wildlife isolates. Our results support the hypothesis that maintenance and spread of B. suis bv2 in Europe is a dynamic process linked to the natural expansion of wild boar as the main wild reservoir of the infection, while spread over long distances is found largely dependent on anthropogenic activities.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Wild; Bacterial Typing Techniques; Brucella suis; Brucellosis; Disease Outbreaks; Europe; Genotype; Minisatellite Repeats; Multilocus Sequence Typing; Phylogeny; Phylogeography; Sus scrofa; Swine; Swine Diseases; Whole Genome Sequencing
PubMed: 31176415
DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2019.04.025 -
Journal of Infection in Developing... Nov 2014Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonosis that affects the public health and economic performance of endemic as well as non-endemic countries. In developing nations,... (Review)
Review
Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonosis that affects the public health and economic performance of endemic as well as non-endemic countries. In developing nations, brucellosis is often a very common but neglected disease. The purpose of this review is to provide insight about brucellosis in animal populations in Egypt and help to understand the situation from 1986 to 2013. A total of 67 national and international scientific publications on serological investigations, isolation, and biotyping studies from 1986 to 2013 were reviewed to verify the current status of brucellosis in animal populations in Egypt. Serological investigations within the national surveillance program give indirect proof for the presence of brucellosis in cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, and camels in Egypt. Serologic testing for brucellosis is a well-established procedure in Egypt, but most of the corresponding studies do not follow the scientific standards. B. melitensis biovar (bv) 3, B. abortus bv 1, and B. suis bv 1 have been isolated from farm animals and Nile catfish. Brucellosis is prevalent nationwide in many farm animal species. There is an obvious discrepancy between official seroprevalence data and data from scientific publications. The need for a nationwide survey to genotype circulating Brucellae is obvious. The epidemiologic situation of brucellosis in Egypt is unresolved and needs clarification.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Domestic; Brucella; Brucellosis; Catfishes; Egypt; Seroepidemiologic Studies
PubMed: 25390047
DOI: 10.3855/jidc.4872