Cross-border molecular tracing of brucellosis in Europe

To assess the general impact of endemic countries on the re-emergence of brucellosis in non-endemic regions of the European Union, the genetic fingerprints of Brucella melitensis strains imported to Germany were compared to ovine strains from Turkey in a molecular epidemiological study. Genotyping of 66 Brucella strains (based on Multiple Locus of Variable number of tandem repeats Analysis) isolated from German travellers and Turkish immigrants living in Germany revealed epidemiological concordance with 20 sheep isolates originating from Eastern Anatolia, Turkey. In summary, cross-border molecular tracing confirmed brucellosis being a zoonosis of concern for European public health.     

Protection against Brucellosis in Goats,Five Years after Vaccination with Reduced-Dose Brucella melitensis Rev 1 Vaccine

The protection conferred by the reduced-dose Rev 1 Brucella melitensis vaccine in goats that had been immunized 5 years previously was evaluated. Sixteen goats vaccinated 5 years before with Rev 1 (1 x 10(5) cfu) and 5 non-vaccinated goats were challenged with B. melitensis 16M (4 x 10(5) cfu) using the conjunctival route. After giving birth or aborting, the goats were sacrificed and tissue samples were taken for bacteriological study. The challenge strain was recovered in 12%, of the animals from the vaccinated group, and in (80% of the control group. It is concluded, therefore that the use of reduced-dose Rev 1 protects goats vaccinated in endemic areas for at least 5 years after immunization.     

Seroprevalence of Japanese encephalitis virus and risk factors associated with seropositivity in pigs in four mountain districts in Nepal*

Japanese encephalitis was recently reported from individuals in the mountain districts of Nepal without travel history to Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) endemic areas. We performed a cross-sectional study to estimate the seroprevalence of JEV in pigs and subsequently conducted a survey of farmers to identify risk factors associated with seropositivity. In July and August, 2010, 454 pig serum samples were collected and tested by competitive ELISA. Data from a 35-question survey of 109 pig owners were analysed using multivariate logistic regression. Seventy-six (16.7, 95% CI 13.6-20.4) pigs tested positive for anti-JEV antibodies, none of which had been vaccinated against JEV or sourced from JEV endemic areas. Risk factors associated with JEV seropositivity were 'summer abortion', 'wells as a water source', 'urban location', 'reported presence of mosquitoes' and 'lower elevation'. Our results suggest that JEV is likely circulating in the mountain districts of Nepal, and that locally acquired JEV should be considered a risk for residents and travellers in these areas.     

A review of serological investigations of brucellosis among farm animals and humans in northern provinces of iraq (1974-2004)

Brucellosis is an endemic anthropozoonotic disease in most Middle East countries including Iraq. It causes considerable loss of economy and energy, particularly in the rural areas. Since 1966 when the prevalence of brucella agglutinin from slaughtered sheep and goat was reported in Baghdad, several trials have been conducted including serological studies of brucellosis in the northern provinces of Iraq (Nainava, Duhok, Erbil, Kirkuk and Sulaimani). Humans, sheep, goats, cattle and buffalo have been involved. The studies also included isolation and identification of Brucella species, including B. abortus, B. melitensis and B. ovis. Local veterinary authorities, international organizations, universities and some NGOs have been involved. Moreover, limited efforts have been reported concerning the control and eradication of the disease among goats and sheep in some restricted areas. A limited vaccination program for newborn lambs and kids also has been conducted by the FAO, which was involved in the veterinary emergency plan for brucellosis in 2000. Northern provinces share an extensive border with Iran, Turkey and Syria, in addition to the direct and intimate contacts with other provinces of Iraq, which share borders with Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Hence any strategic planning for the control or eradication of this devastating anthropozoonotic disease in the country should be implemented regionally and not locally.     

布鲁菌进化和分类学研究进展

布鲁菌属革兰氏阴性兼性胞内寄生菌,能感染多种宿主动物和人。该属可分为6个典型种,包括羊种、牛种、猪种、沙林鼠种、绵羊附睾种以及犬种布鲁菌等。此分类是基于其致病性以及宿主偏好性的差异划分。尽管6个种通过传统表型试验能区分,但布鲁菌种内采用DNA-DNA杂交证明DNA同源性高度一致（相似性大于90%）。因此有人提议布鲁菌由单一种组成,即布鲁菌属中只有羊种布鲁菌,其他种都是羊种菌的生物亚型之一。然而基于其他分子技术的基因分型表明其DNA多态性表现明显,说明目前对这个种的分型还是比较准确。而最近分离的海洋种布鲁氏菌分离株（鳍型和鲸型）采用传统分型标准和一些特异的分子标记也证明这种分型比较正确。本文对目前布鲁菌种属进化和分类学进行综述,希望对研究其进化和分类有所帮助。     

The putative penicillin-binding proteins 1 and 2 are important for viability, growth and cell morphology of Brucella melitensis

The penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) are enzymes that regulate the assembly of the peptidoglycan layer of the bacterial cell wall. The genome of Brucella melitensis strain 16M possesses seven pbp genes: three in pbp-1 family (designated as 1A, 1B, and 1C); one in pbp-2 family; and three in pbp-6 family (designated as 6A, 6B, and 6C). We investigated the importance of pbp-1 and pbp-2 genes to viability, cell morphology and infectivity of B. melitensis. A recombinant B. melitensis strain (designated 16MDeltapbp1C) was generated by disrupting the pbp-1C of strain 16M by allelic exchange. This strain produced nearly 20% smaller colonies on trypticase soy agar plates, and grew slower in trypticase soy broth compared to the strain 16M. Electron microscopy revealed that strain 16M exhibited native cocco-bacillus morphology, while 16MDeltapbp1C possessed a spherical morphology. Strain 16MDeltapbp1C did not differ from strain 16M in terms of recovery from infected mouse macrophage cell line J774.1, or recovery from spleens of infected BALB/c mice, suggesting that pbp-1C is dispensable for intracellular persistence of B. melitensis. Expression of mRNA of fixR, the gene downstream of pbp-1C was similar between the strains 16M and 16MDeltapbp1C suggesting that disruption of pbp-1C did not induce any polar effects. Multiple attempts to mutate pbp-1A, pbp-1B, or pbp-2 genes failed, most probably because these genes are indispensable for viability of B. melitensis. Our findings suggest that pbp-1C regulates in vitro growth and cell morphology, whereas pbp-1A, pbp-1B, and pbp-2 are essential for viability of B. melitensis.     

Brucella melitensis 16M: characterisation of the galE gene and mouse immunisation studies with a galE deficient mutant

The galE gene of Streptomyces lividans was used to probe a cosmid library harbouring Brucella melitensis 16M DNA and the nucleotide sequence of a 2.5 kb ClaI fragment which hybridised was determined. An open reading frame encoding a predicted polypeptide with significant homology to UDP-galactose-4-epimerases of Brucella arbortus strain 2308 and other bacterial species was identified. DNA sequences flanking the B. melitensis galE gene shared no identity with other gal genes and, as for B. abortus, were located adjacent to a mazG homologue. A plasmid which encoded the B. melitensis galE open reading frame complemented a galE mutation in Salmonella typhimurium LB5010, as shown by the restoration of smooth lipopolysaccharide (LPS) biosynthesis, sensitivity to phage P22 infection and restoration of UDP-galactose-4-epimerase activity. The galE gene on the B. melitensis 16M chromosome was disrupted by insertional inactivation and these mutants lacked UDP-galactose-4-epimerase activity but no discernible differences in LPS structure between parent and the mutants were observed. One B. melitensis 16M galE mutant, Bm92, was assessed for virulence in CD-1 and BALB/c mice and displayed similar kinetics of invasion and persistence in tissues compared with the parent bacterial strain. CD-1 mice immunised with B. melitensis 16M galE were protected against B. melitensis 16M challenge.     

Validation of fluorescence polarization assay (FPA) and comparison with other tests used for diagnosis of B. melitensis infection in sheep

Fluorescence polarization assay (FPA) is a new test for the serological diagnosis of Brucella spp. infection in animals. The FPA is validated for the diagnosis of B. melitensis infection in sheep. For this purpose, 166 sera originated from natural infected sheep (verified by culture) and 851 sera originated from healthy animals (reared in areas where B. melitensis was never been isolated) were tested. The optimum cut-off value that offers the highest diagnostic sensitivity (DSn) and diagnostic specificity (DSp) was determined at 87mP with the use of ROC analysis. The DSn and DSp of FPA using this cut-off value are calculated at 97.6 and 98.9% with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 93.9-99.3% and 98.0-99.5%, respectively. The DSn and DSp of FPA have been assessed also using as positive reference (n=587), sera that gave positive results at least in two tests used for diagnosis of B. melitensis in sheep as Rose Bengal Test (RBT), modified Rose Bengal Test (m-RBT), complement fixation test (CFT), indirect Elisa (i-Elisa) and competition Elisa (c-Elisa) originated from animals reared in flocks infected by B. melitensis. The optimum cut-off value using the above panel of positive reference sera was the same offering a DSn of 95.9% with a 95% CI, 94.0-97.4%, since the DSp remains the same. The DSn and DSp as well as performance, accuracy and agreement of FPA's result were compared with those of other tests used. The accuracy of FPA is very high, similar with that of i-Elisa. FPA is a promising assay, which offers a DSn and accuracy better that of those of the tests currently approved for the diagnosis of B. melitensis in sheep and goats. Due to its simplicity, the sort time that results can be obtained and its accuracy it can be used and improve the laboratory testing capacity as well as the efficacy of the eradication program based on test-and-slaughter policy.     

原核表达山羊布氏杆菌M5-90VirB12蛋白及其在检测中的初步应用

为建立山羊布氏杆菌(Brucellar melitensis)血清学检测方法,本实验克隆了B.melitensisM5-90疫苗株的virB12基因,并表达了相应蛋白.经SDS-PAGE和western blot鉴定,重组VirB12蛋白分质量约为25 ku,具有较好的抗原性.以纯化的virB12重组蛋白为抗原建立间接ELISA方法,并检测90份B.melitensis临床血清样品,检测结果与试剂盒及虎红平板凝集试验的检测结果符合率均为91.7%,结果表明,VirB12重组蛋白作为包被抗原可用于B.melitensis感染的血清检测,为进一步建立B.melitensisM5-90 virB12缺失标记疫苗的鉴别检测提供方法.     

Brucella species lacking the major outer membrane protein Omp25 are attenuated in mice and protect against Brucella melitensis and Brucella ovis

To aid in the development of novel efficacious vaccines against brucellosis, Omp25 was examined as a potential candidate. To determine the role of Omp25 in virulence, mutants were created with Brucella abortus (BA25), Brucella melitensis (BM25), and Brucella ovis (BO25) which contain disruptions in the omp25 gene (Deltaomp25 mutants). Western immunoblot analysis and PCR verified that the Omp25 protein was not expressed and that the omp25 gene was disrupted in each strain. BALB/c mice infected with B. abortus BA25 or B. melitensis BM25 showed a significant decrease in mean CFU/spleen at 18 and 4 weeks post-infection, respectively, when compared to the virulent parental strain (P<0.05, n=5). Mice infected with B. ovis BO25 had significantly lower mean CFU/spleen counts from 1 to 8 weeks post-infection, at which point the mutant was cleared from the spleens (P<0.01, n=5). Murine vaccination with either BM25 or the current caprine vaccine B. melitensis strain Rev. 1 resulted in more than a 2log(10) reduction in bacterial load following challenge with virulent B. melitensis (P<0.01, n=5). Vaccination of mice with the B. ovis mutant resulted in clearance of the challenge strain and provided 2.5log(10) greater protection against virulent B. ovis than vaccine strain Rev. 1. Based on these data, the B. melitensis and B. ovis Deltaomp25 mutants are interesting vaccine candidates that are currently under study in our laboratory for their safety and efficacy in small ruminants.     

Differential reactivity of bovine lymphocytes to species of Brucella

The reactivity of bovine lymphocytes to 4 species of Brucella was tested in thymidine-uptake assays, using long-term cultured lymphocytes and freshly obtained blood mononuclear cells. Lymphocytes were taken from cows that had been challenge exposed with a virulent strain of B abortus at midgestation. The cows were classified retrospectively as being naturally resistant or susceptible to brucellosis. Lymphocytes taken from these cows had 3 patterns of reactivity with species of Brucella: pattern 1 was defined by reactivity with 4 species (B abortus, B canis, B suis, and B melitensis); pattern 2 was defined by reactivity with all these species, except B melitensis; pattern 3 was defined by reactivity with B abortus and B canis, but not with B suis or B melitensis. There was a statistically significant correlation between susceptibility to brucellosis and expression of lymphocyte cross-reactivity with B suis (P less than 0.01) and with B melitensis (P less than 0.001).     

The characteristics of a variant strain of Brucella melitensis Rev 1

Circumstantial evidence is presented for the occurrence of a variant of a vaccine strain of B. melitensis Rev 1, designated "FSA" (foreign South African). FSA resembles Rev 1 in its reactions to penicillin and streptomycin but reacts closer to a field strain of B. melitensis as regards dye (thionine and basic fuchsin) sensitivity and colony size. Although colonies of Rev 1 were consistently smaller than other B. melitensis strains, their size was 0,75 mm as opposed to the 1-2 mm reported in the literature, while B. melitensis 16M colonies were 1,25-1,5 mm as opposed to the 3-4 mm previously reported. Rev 1 was found to be urease positive, unless a test of low sensitivity was applied.     

A serological comparison of complement fixation reactions using Brucella abortus and B. melitensis antigens in B. abortus infected cattle

Brucella abortus and B. melitensis antigens were used in parallel on the National Standard Brucella abortus antiserum and on field sera coming from cattle where practically exclusively B. abortus biotypes 1 and 2 have been isolated over the last 11 years. With the National Standard serum the titres to B. melitensis were consistently lower than those to B. abortus antigen. Most were 1 dilution (twofold) lower. Although a similar trend was seen with the field sera, there were 7/346 sera which had twofold or higher titres to B. melitensis antigen. Although this may be due to the vagaries of the test it also warrants closer investigation of the animals concerned to see whether M-antigen predominant Brucella biotypes are possibly present. The use of the dual antigens could identify herds which are infected only with A-antigen predominant brucellae but would not be reliable for classifying individual animals.     

稳定分泌抗羊种布鲁菌脂多糖单克隆抗体细胞株的筛选与应用

研制抗羊种布鲁菌脂多糖抗原的单克隆抗体,并应用其建立检测布病的双夹心ELISA方法。本研究采用热酚水法提纯羊种布鲁菌(16M菌株)的脂多糖抗原,并经SDS-PAGE鉴定。用脂多糖和灭活的羊种布鲁菌16M作为免疫抗原,交替免疫6～8周龄BALB/c雌鼠,第1次免疫用羊种布鲁菌标准菌16M全菌加等量弗氏完全佐剂;第2次免疫用脂多糖加等量弗氏不完全佐剂。将脂多糖作为包被抗原建立间接ELISA方法,筛选针对抗羊种布鲁菌(16M菌株)脂多糖的单克隆抗体杂交瘤细胞株。筛选出3株能稳定分泌抗羊种布鲁菌脂多糖单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞株,分别命名为5H3、6B8和3H7,细胞培养上清的ELISA效价在1∶1 000～1∶5 000,小鼠腹水单克隆抗体ELISA效价在1∶10 000～1∶160 000;抗体亚类鉴定表明:5H3、6B8属于IgM亚类,3H7属于IgG3亚类;特异性试验结果显示:3株杂交瘤细胞分泌的抗体不与大肠杆菌O157裂解抗原、鸡白痢沙门氏菌裂解抗原、鸭源鸡杆菌脂多糖抗原以及福氏志贺菌裂解抗原反应,仅与灭活的羊种布鲁菌(16M)发生反应。布鲁菌虎红平板凝集试验和试管凝集试验检测结果显示,获得的单抗可与标准检测抗原形成明显的颗粒凝集物和伞状凝集物。利用所建立的单克隆抗体细胞株,建立了一种检测布鲁菌的双夹心间接ELISA方法,并进行了特异性和敏感性检测。对模拟样品和临床样品进行检测,准确性均很高。     

Re-examination of the role of the Brucella melitensis HtrA stress response protease in virulence in pregnant goats.

Based on previously reported studies describing the experimental infection of pregnant goats with B. melitensis strain RWP5, we proposed that the HtrA protease plays an important role in the virulence of B. melitensis in its natural ruminant host. Subsequent studies, however, have shown that RWP5 is actually an htrA cycL double mutant. In order to definitively evaluate the role of the B. melitensis htrA in virulence, we constructed an authentic htrA mutant and examined this strain in pregnant goats. The findings of these studies indicate that the contribution of the htrA gene product to the virulence of B. melitensis in its natural host is not as great as was previously proposed.     

Comparison between immune responses and resistance induced in BALB/c mice vaccinated with RB51 and Rev. 1 vaccines and challenged with Brucella melitensis bv. 3

BALB/c mice were immunized with live rough Brucella abortus RB51 or smooth Brucella melitensis Rev. 1 vaccines and challenged with a B. melitensis field strain. Protection was assessed by a variety of serological tests and recovery of vaccinal and challenge strains by culture. Mice vaccinated with RB51 gave negative results in the conventional serological tests prior to challenge, namely; standard tube agglutination test (SAT), Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), buffered acidified plate antigen test (BAPAT), and mercaptoethanol test (MET). Sero-conversion took place to a whole-cell bacterial buffered RB51 antigen after vaccination and persisted for 7 weeks post-vaccination. Mice challenged with B. melitensis were assessed for bacterial load and immune response for 12 weeks after challenge. Protection units were showed that Rev. 1 vaccine was superior to RB51 vaccine in protection of mice against B. melitensis. However, RB51 vaccine has the advantage that it would not elicit antibodies to standard serological tests based on the LPS O antigen. RB51 vaccine could therefore be used for control of B. melitensis infection and avoid confusion in the use of standard sero-diagnostic tests.     

Monoclonal antibodies to Brucella surface antigens associated with the smooth lipopolysaccharide complex

Hybridomas producing antibodies to determinants associated with the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Brucella abortus and B melitensis were obtained by polyethylene glycol fusion of the SP2/0 myeloma cell line with B lymphocytes harvested from a Sprague-Dawley-derived rat previously immunized with whole B abortus strain 1119 organisms. Two clones, BRU38 and BRU28 , were selected for their ability to react with whole B abortus organisms and purified smooth-LPS ( f5p ). The BRU38 monoclonal antibodies were absorbed with live, rough strain 45/20 and smooth strains of B abortus and B melitensis organisms, whereas only smooth strains absorbed the antibody activity from BRU28 . Complete inhibition of the monoclonal's activity could be achieved with crude smooth-LPS, a purified f5p fraction, and a water-soluble acid degraded polysaccharide. Absorption of BRU38 and BRU28 with rough Brucella LPS, polysaccharide-B antigen, keto- deoxyoctanoic acid, or with several sugars and fatty acids known to be components of the Brucella LPS complex had no effect on the monoclonals. The data indicate that antigenic determinants are associated with the smooth LPS complex, probably with the O-side chain, and are expressed patchwise and in different quantities on several strains of B abortus and B melitensis. The B abortus rough strain 45/20 contains surface determinants which lead to the agglutination of smooth strain 1119 organisms. The potential use of monoclonals in competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for diagnostic purposes is discussed.     

牛、羊、猪、犬布鲁氏菌病多重PCR方法的建立

The purpose of the experiment was to establish a rapid multiplex PCR detection method which could distinguish B.abortus，B.melitensis，B.suis and B.canis. According to the differences of IS711 and complete genome sequences，four pairs of primers were designed. Multiplex PCR reaction system and conditions were optimized，the specificity，sensitivity and stability of the multiplex PCR were analyzed.Through the establishment of the multiplex PCR，B.abortus，B. melitensis，B. suis and B.canis could amplify the expected fragment，the sizes of the expected fragment were 494，732，591 and 272 bp，respectively. The PCR sensitivity of B.abortus，B.melitensis，B.suis and B.canis were 1.1×10²，5.1×10²，3.5×10² and 2.5×10² CFU/mL，respectively. Detected artificially infectious samples of milk by PCR，PCR sensitivity could reach 1.0×10³ CFU/mL.The developed multiplex PCR method was simple，fast，high sensitivity，and had good prospects and important significance for the identification of B.abortus，B.melitensis，B.suis and B.canis.     

Pathogenicity and protective activity in pregnant goats of a Brucella melitensis Deltaomp25 deletion mutant

The Brucella melitensis mutant BM 25, which lacks the major 25 kDa outer membrane protein Omp25, has previously been found to be attenuated in the murine brucellosis model. In the present study, the capacity of the Deltaomp25 mutant to colonise and cause abortions in the caprine host was evaluated. The vaccine potential of BM 25 was also investigated in goats. Inoculation of nine pregnant goats in late gestation with the B. melitensis mutant resulted in 0/9 abortions, while the virulent parental strain, B. melitensis 16M, induced 6/6 dams to abort (P<0.001, n=6). BM 25 also colonised fewer adults (P<0.05, n=6) and kids (P<0.01, n=6) than strain 16M. The Deltaomp25 mutant was found capable of transient in vivo colonisation of non-pregnant goats for two weeks post-infection. Owing to the ability of BM 25 to colonise both non-pregnant and pregnant adults without inducing abortions, a vaccine efficacy study was performed. Vaccination of goats prior to breeding with either BM 25 or the current caprine vaccine B. melitensis strain Rev. 1 resulted in 100 per cent protection against abortion following challenge in late gestation with virulent strain 16M (P<0.05, n=7). However, unlike strain Rev. 1, BM 25 does not appear to cause abortions in late gestation based on this study with a small number of animals. The B. melitensis Deltaomp25 mutant, BM 25, may be a safe and efficacious alternative to strain Rev. 1 when dealing with goat herds of mixed age and pregnancy status.     

Detection of Brucella melitensis in semen using the polymerase chain reaction assay

An evaluation of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of Brucella melitensis DNA in bovine and ovine semen was performed. Since semen contains different components that inhibit PCR amplification, a protocol was used to purify Brucella-DNA from bovine and ovine semen samples prior to conducting amplification of the targeted DNA. When separated fractions of naturally Brucella contaminated semen were analyzed by the PCR, most of B. melitensis DNA were present in the seminal fluid and non-sperm fractions.The PCR examination results for detection of B. melitensis DNA in different semen fractions were compared with the results for traditional cultural methods of Brucella from semen. The PCR was more sensitive than the traditional cultural methods since it detected Brucella-DNA in 12 (10%) out of 120 semen samples while direct culture detected only 7 (5.8%) in the same semen samples. The limit of detection by PCR was 100 CFU/ml of semen. In addition, the results of PCR were available in one day, whereas isolation and identification of Brucella organisms required days or even weeks. The PCR may be used as a supplementary test for detection of B. melitensis in semen.