1
|
Vergnaud G, Zygmunt MS, Ashford RT, Whatmore AM, Cloeckaert A. Genomic Diversity and Zoonotic Potential of Brucella neotomae. Emerg Infect Dis 2024; 30:155-158. [PMID: 38147057 PMCID: PMC10756370 DOI: 10.3201/eid3001.221783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
After reports in 2017 of Brucella neotomae infections among humans in Costa Rica, we sequenced 12 strains isolated from rodents during 1955-1964 from Utah, USA. We observed an exact strain match between the human isolates and 1 Utah isolate. Independent confirmation is required to clarify B. neotomae zoonotic potential.
Collapse
|
2
|
Rahimi H, Tukmechi A, Rashidian E. Genetic diversity of Brucella melitensis isolates from sheep and goat milk in Iran. VETERINARY RESEARCH FORUM : AN INTERNATIONAL QUARTERLY JOURNAL 2023; 14:649-657. [PMID: 38174090 PMCID: PMC10759773 DOI: 10.30466/vrf.2023.1988859.3768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The genetic diversity of Brucella strains has not been fully understood. To investigate this, the genetic characteristics of 64 isolates of Brucella melitensis from sheep and goats' milk were studied using random fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and multiple locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA-16) methods developed in Orsay, France (MLVA-16Orsay). The RFLP analysis revealed that all 64 isolates were of biovar one. The MLVA-typing showed that one sample was simultaneously infected with two strains of B. melitensis and the genotype of 65 isolate was analyzed. Four genotypes (47, 42, 43, and 63) were identified using MLVA-8 (panel 1), whereas six genotypes (138, 125, 116, 108, and two unknown genotypes) were identified using MLVA11 (panels 1 and 2A). From the review of MLVA-16 (panels 1, 2A, and 2B), panel 2B showed a very high discriminatory power. Two loci of Bruc04 and Bruc30 from this panel had diversity index values higher than 0.71 and the average diversity index was 0.619. So MLVA-16Orsay 34 showed the genotype indicating a low genetic homogeneity among the isolates. The findings of MLVA genotyping of the isolates suggest that strains of B. melitensis isolated from the milk of small ruminants in Iran are most closely related to the isolates from neighboring countries of the Eastern Mediterranean group. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to indicate the potential use of MLVA genotyping for simultaneous detection of specimen contamination using two different B. melitensis biovars.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heidar Rahimi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran;
| | - Amir Tukmechi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran;
| | - Ehsan Rashidian
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Xue H, Zhao Z, Wang J, Ma L, Li J, Yang X, Ren L, Xu L, Liu Z, Li Z. Native circulating Brucella melitensis lineages causing a brucellosis epidemic in Qinghai, China. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1233686. [PMID: 37799605 PMCID: PMC10547896 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1233686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Since 2010, the cases and incidences of human brucellosis have been increasing annually in Qinghai (QH) Province. Molecular epidemiology and phylogenetic analyses of strains from this region are crucial to better understand the transmission of the disease and the evolutionary patterns of Brucella strains. In this study, classical bio-typing assay, multilocus variable-number tandem repeat analysis, and the whole-genome sequencing-single-nucleotide polymorphism approach were used to illustrate the epidemiological and evolutionary patterns of Brucella melitensis. A total of 54 B. melitensis bv. 3 strains were isolated and molecularly characterized, with all strains belonging to the East Mediterranean lineages. Cross-regional transmission events (i.e., between counties) were caused by common sources of infection, suggesting that predominant circulating genotypes are endemic in different regions. Strengthening surveillance in animal brucellosis and controlling infected animals' cross-border movement are necessary. Two strains isolated from humans and marmots were clustered in the same sub-clade, implying the possible existence of direct and/or indirect contact between sheep (and goats) and wildlife (marmots), but this needs to be verified by further investigations. The global-scale phylogenetic analysis indicated that 54 strains sorted into six subclades, four of which formed independent lineages, suggesting that the increase in the incidence rate of human brucellosis may be caused by local circulating lineages. Further strengthening the serology and pathogen surveillance of animals (wildlife) and humans will contribute to an in-depth understanding of the transmission chain of human brucellosis in this region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongmei Xue
- Department of Brucellosis Prevention and Control, Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Zhijun Zhao
- Department of Brucellosis Prevention and Control, Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Jianling Wang
- Department of Brucellosis Prevention and Control, Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Li Ma
- Department of Brucellosis Prevention and Control, Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Jiquan Li
- Department of Brucellosis Prevention and Control, Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Xuxin Yang
- Department of Brucellosis Prevention and Control, Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Lingling Ren
- Department of Brucellosis Prevention and Control, Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Liqing Xu
- Department of Brucellosis Prevention and Control, Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Zhiguo Liu
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- Vocational and Technical College, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Baotou, China
| | - Zhenjun Li
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Brangsch H, Sandalakis V, Babetsa M, Boukouvala E, Ntoula A, Makridaki E, Christidou A, Psaroulaki A, Akar K, Gürbilek SE, Jamil T, Melzer F, Neubauer H, Wareth G. Genotype diversity of brucellosis agents isolated from humans and animals in Greece based on whole-genome sequencing. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:529. [PMID: 37580676 PMCID: PMC10426126 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08518-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease whose causative agent, Brucella spp., is endemic in many countries of the Mediterranean basin, including Greece. Although the occurrence of brucellosis must be reported to the authorities, it is believed that the disease is under-reported in Greece, and knowledge about the genomic diversity of brucellae is lacking. METHODS Thus, 44 Brucella isolates, primarily B. melitensis, collected between 1999 and 2009 from humans and small ruminants in Greece were subjected to whole genome sequencing using short-read technology. The raw reads and assembled genomes were used for in silico genotyping based on single nucleotide substitutions and alleles. Further, specific genomic regions encoding putative virulence genes were screened for characteristic nucleotide changes, which arose in different genotype lineages. RESULTS In silico genotyping revealed that the isolates belonged to three of the known sublineages of the East Mediterranean genotype. In addition, a novel subgenotype was identified that was basal to the other East Mediterranean sublineages, comprising two Greek strains. The majority of the isolates can be assumed to be of endemic origin, as they were clustered with strains from the Western Balkans or Turkey, whereas one strain of human origin could be associated with travel to another endemic region, e.g. Portugal. Further, nucleotide substitutions in the housekeeping gene rpoB and virulence-associated genes were detected, which were characteristic of the different subgenotypes. One of the isolates originating from an aborted bovine foetus was identified as B. abortus vaccine strain RB51. CONCLUSION The results demonstrate the existence of several distinct persistent Brucella sp. foci in Greece. To detect these and for tracing infection chains, extensive sampling initiatives are required.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanka Brangsch
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Fredrich-Loeffler-Institut - Federal Research Institute for Animal Health (FLI), 07743, Jena, Germany.
| | - Vassilios Sandalakis
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, 71500, Greece
| | - Maria Babetsa
- Veterinary Research Institute, ELGO-DIMITRA, Campus of Thermi, Thermi, 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evridiki Boukouvala
- Veterinary Research Institute, ELGO-DIMITRA, Campus of Thermi, Thermi, 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Artemisia Ntoula
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, 71500, Greece
| | - Eirini Makridaki
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, 71500, Greece
| | - Athanasia Christidou
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, 71500, Greece
| | - Anna Psaroulaki
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, 71500, Greece
| | - Kadir Akar
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Van Yuzuncu Yıl University, Van, 65090, Turkey
| | - Sevil Erdenlig Gürbilek
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Harran University, Şanlıurfa, 63200, Turkey
| | - Tariq Jamil
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Fredrich-Loeffler-Institut - Federal Research Institute for Animal Health (FLI), 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Falk Melzer
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Fredrich-Loeffler-Institut - Federal Research Institute for Animal Health (FLI), 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Heinrich Neubauer
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Fredrich-Loeffler-Institut - Federal Research Institute for Animal Health (FLI), 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Gamal Wareth
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Fredrich-Loeffler-Institut - Federal Research Institute for Animal Health (FLI), 07743, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Jena University Hospital, 07747, Jena, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Liu Z, Wang M, Shi Q, Dong X, Gao L, Li Z. Original and introduced lineages co-driving the persistence of Brucella abortus circulating in West Africa. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1106361. [PMID: 37006545 PMCID: PMC10050740 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1106361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionBrucellosis, a serious public health issue affecting animals and humans, is neglected in West Africa (WA).MethodsIn the present study, bio-typing, multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA), and whole genome sequencing single-nucleotide polymorphism (WGS-SNP) analysis were used to characterize the Brucella abortus (B. abortus) strains from WA.ResultsAll of the 309 strains analyzed in this study were extracted and downloaded from the international MLVA bank and were from 10 hosts (cattle, humans, ovine, buffalo, dromedaries, horse, sheep, zebu, dog, and cat) distributed in 17 countries in WA. Based on the bio-typing, three biovars, dominated by B. abortus bv.3, were observed and reported across seven decades (1958–2019). With MLST, 129 B. abortus strains from the present study were sorted into 14 STs, with ST34 as the predicted founder. These 14 STs clustered into the global MLST data into three clone complexes (C I–C III) with the majority of strains clustering in C I, while C II forms an independent branch, and C III harbors three STs shared by different continents. These data revealed that most cases were caused by strains from native lineages. According to the MLVA-11 comparison, 309 strains were divided into 22 MLVA-11 genotypes, 15 of which were unique to WA and the remaining seven had a global distribution. MLVA-16 analysis showed that there were no epidemiological links among these strains. Based on the MLVA data, B. abortus strains from WA have high genetic diversity, and predominated genotypes were descended from a native lineage. While the MLVA-16 globally highlights that the dominant native and few introduced lineages (from Brazil, the USA, South Korea, Argentina, India, Italy, Portugal, the UK, Costa Rica, and China) co-driving the B. abortus ongoing prevalence in WA. The high-resolution SNP analysis implied the existence of introduced B. abortus lineages, which may be reasonably explained by the movement and trade of dominant hosts (cattle) and/or their products.DiscussionOur results indicated that B. abortus strains in WA consist of native and introduced strains that necessitate control such as vaccination, testing, slaughtering, and movement control by the relevant country authorities to reduce brucellosis in livestock.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiguo Liu
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- Vocational and Technical College, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Baotou, China
| | - Miao Wang
- Comprehensive Office, Ulanqab Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jining, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Qi Shi
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoping Dong
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Liping Gao
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenjun Li
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, Shanxi, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Shevtsov A, Cloeckaert A, Berdimuratova K, Shevtsova E, Shustov AV, Amirgazin A, Karibayev T, Kamalova D, Zygmunt MS, Ramanculov Y, Vergnaud G. Brucella abortus in Kazakhstan, population structure and comparison with worldwide genetic diversity. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1106994. [PMID: 37032899 PMCID: PMC10073595 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1106994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Brucella abortus is the main causative agent of brucellosis in cattle, leading to severe economic consequences in agriculture and affecting public health. The zoonotic nature of the infection increases the need to control the spread and dynamics of outbreaks in animals with the incorporation of high resolution genotyping techniques. Based on such methods, B. abortus is currently divided into three clades, A, B, and C. The latter includes subclades C1 and C2. This study presents the results of whole-genome sequencing of 49 B. abortus strains isolated in Kazakhstan between 1947 and 2015 and of 36 B. abortus strains of various geographic origins isolated from 1940 to 2004. In silico Multiple Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) allowed to assign strains from Kazakhstan to subclades C1 and to a much lower extend C2. Whole-genome Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism (wgSNP) analysis of the 46 strains of subclade C1 with strains of worldwide origins showed clustering with strains from neighboring countries, mostly North Caucasia, Western Russia, but also Siberia, China, and Mongolia. One of the three Kazakhstan strains assigned to subclade C2 matched the B. abortus S19 vaccine strain used in cattle, the other two were genetically close to the 104 M vaccine strain. Bayesian phylodynamic analysis dated the introduction of B. abortus subclade C1 into Kazakhstan to the 19th and early 20th centuries. We discuss this observation in view of the history of population migrations from Russia to the Kazakhstan steppes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandr Shevtsov
- National Center for Biotechnology, Astana, Kazakhstan
- *Correspondence: Alexandr Shevtsov,
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yerlan Ramanculov
- National Center for Biotechnology, Astana, Kazakhstan
- School of Sciences and Humanities, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Gilles Vergnaud
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Gilles Vergnaud,
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Edao BM, Ameni G, Berg S, Tekle M, Whatmore AM, Wood JLN, van Tonder AJ, Ashford RT. Whole genome sequencing of Ethiopian Brucella abortus isolates expands the known diversity of an early branching sub-Saharan African lineage. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1128966. [PMID: 37213520 PMCID: PMC10192883 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1128966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Brucellosis remains one of the most significant zoonotic diseases globally, responsible for both considerable human morbidity and economic losses due to its impacts on livestock productivity. Despite this, there remain significant evidence gaps in many low- and middle-income countries, including those of sub-Saharan Africa. Here we report the first molecular characterisation of Brucella sp. from Ethiopia. Fifteen Brucella sp. isolates from an outbreak in cattle from a herd in central Ethiopia were identified as Brucella abortus, using bacterial culture and molecular methods. Sequencing of the Ethiopian B. abortus isolates allowed their phylogenetic comparison with 411 B. abortus strains of diverse geographical origins, using whole genome single nucleotide polymorphisms (wgSNP). The Ethiopian isolates belonged to an early-branching lineage (Lineage A) previously only represented by data from two strains, both of sub-Saharan African origin (Kenya and Mozambique). A second B. abortus lineage (Lineage B), also comprised solely of strains originating from sub-Saharan Africa, was identified. The majority of strains belonged to one of two lineages of strains originating from a much broader geographical range. Further analyses based on multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) and multi-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) expanded the number of B. abortus strains available for comparison with the Ethiopian isolates and were consistent with the findings from wgSNP analysis. MLST profiles of the Ethiopian isolates expanded the sequence type (ST) diversity of the early branching lineage of B. abortus, equivalent to wgSNP Lineage A. A more diverse cluster of STs, equivalent to wgSNP Lineage B, was comprised solely of strains originating from sub-Saharan Africa. Similarly, analysis of B. abortus MLVA profiles (n = 1891) confirmed that the Ethiopian isolates formed a unique cluster, similar to only two existing strains, and distinct from the majority of other strains of sub-Saharan African origin. These findings expand the known diversity of an under-represented lineage of B. abortus and suggest a potential evolutionary origin for the species in East Africa. In addition to providing information concerning Brucella species extant within Ethiopia this work serves as the basis for further studies on the global population structure and evolutionary history of a major zoonotic pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bedaso Mammo Edao
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Gobena Ameni
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Food and Agriculture, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Stefan Berg
- Department of Bacteriology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Weybridge, United Kingdom
| | - Muluken Tekle
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Adrian M. Whatmore
- Department of Bacteriology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Weybridge, United Kingdom
| | - James L. N. Wood
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Andries J. van Tonder
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Roland T. Ashford
- Department of Bacteriology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Weybridge, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Roland T. Ashford,
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Core Genome Multilocus Sequence Typing Scheme for Improved Characterization and Epidemiological Surveillance of Pathogenic Brucella. J Clin Microbiol 2022; 60:e0031122. [PMID: 35852343 PMCID: PMC9387271 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00311-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucellosis poses a significant burden to human and animal health worldwide. Robust and harmonized molecular epidemiological approaches and population studies that include routine disease screening are needed to efficiently track the origin and spread of Brucella strains. Core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) is a powerful genotyping system commonly used to delineate pathogen transmission routes for disease surveillance and control. Except for Brucella melitensis, cgMLST schemes for Brucella species are currently not established. Here, we describe a novel cgMLST scheme that covers multiple Brucella species. We first determined the phylogenetic breadth of the genus using 612 Brucella genomes. We selected 1,764 genes that were particularly well conserved and typeable in at least 98% of these genomes. We tested the new scheme on 600 genomes and found high agreement with the whole-genome-based single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. Next, we applied the scheme to reanalyze the genome of Brucella strains from epidemiologically linked outbreaks. We demonstrated the applicability of the new scheme for high-resolution typing required in outbreak investigations as previously reported with whole-genome SNP methods. We also used the novel scheme to define the global population structure of the genus using 1,322 Brucella genomes. Finally, we demonstrated the possibility of tracing distribution of Brucella strains by performing cluster analysis of cgMLST profiles and found nearly identical cgMLST profiles in different countries. Our results show that sequencing depth of more than 40-fold is optimal for allele calling with this scheme. In summary, this study describes a novel Brucella-wide cgMLST scheme that is applicable in Brucella molecular epidemiology and helps in accurately tracking and thus controlling the sources of infection. The scheme is publicly accessible and should represent a valuable resource for laboratories with limited computational resources and bioinformatics expertise.
Collapse
|
9
|
Molecular characterization of zoonotic Brucella species isolated from animal and human samples in Iran. Acta Trop 2022; 229:106363. [PMID: 35149040 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Brucellosis is an endemic infection in Iran and represents a serious health problem in humans and livestock causing important economic losses. The objective of this study was to undertake molecular characterization of Brucella spp. isolated from humans and livestock in several provinces of Iran including by multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), in order to understand the genotypes circulating in Iran and their relationship to genotypes globally. A total of 23 Brucella isolates were isolated from eight milk samples (seven cows, and one camel), human blood samples (seven), bovine lymph nodes (two), and samples from aborted fetuses (three sheep, two cows, and one goat). Phenotypic and molecular identification of Brucella isolates was performed on all isolated bacteria and showed that all were either Brucella melitensis or Brucella abortus. B. melitensis was associated with ovine/caprine and camel samples, most human isolates, and a significant minority of cattle isolates. In contrast B. abortus from livestock was associated only with isolations from bovine samples, as well as a single human sample. These results indicate that both B. melitensis and B. abortus contribute to the human brucellosis burden in Iran. B. melitensis isolates comprised three MLST-9 genotypes, the common and globally distributed ST8, a single representative of ST7, and several additional examples of ST102, a genotype previously only reported in a single isolate from a human brucellosis case believed to be acquired through travel to Iran. B. abortus isolates represented two globally common MLST-9 genotypes (ST1 and ST2), with relationships to biotype and other PCR-based typing methods consistent with previous observations. The results provide the basis for further studies examining the molecular epidemiology of Brucella circulating in Iran and the relationships of local isolates to those present globally.
Collapse
|
10
|
Evaluation of the Genetic Profiles of Brucella melitensis Strain from Turkey using Multilocus Variable Number Tandem Repeat Analysis (MLVA) and Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) Techniques. Vet Microbiol 2022; 269:109423. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2022.109423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
11
|
Genotyping of Listeria monocytogenes isolates by high-resolution melting curve (HRM) analysis of tandem repeat locus. Braz J Infect Dis 2022; 26:102348. [PMID: 35341738 PMCID: PMC9387474 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjid.2022.102348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is responsible for causing listeriosis, a type of food poisoning with high mortality. This bacterium is mainly transmitted to humans through the consumption of contaminated foods. Detection of L. monocytogenes through molecular methods is crucial for food safety and clinical diagnosis. Present techniques are characterized by low discrimination power and high cost, as well as being time-consuming and taking several days to give the final result. In our study, MLVA-HRM (Multiple-Locus Variable-number tandem repeats Analysis ‒ High-Resolution Melting) was investigated as an alternative method for a fast and precise method for the genotyping of L. monocytogenes isolates. Forty-eight isolates of L. monocytogenes obtained from the microbial bank of Department of Microbiology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, were typed by MLVA-HRM analysis using five Variable Numbers of Tandem Repeat (VNTR) loci. A total of 43 different types were obtained. This research demonstrated the usefulness of the MLVA-HRMA method and its ability to discriminate L. monocytogenes isolates. Since this method is easier and more efficient than existing methods, it can be widely used in food processing plants and diagnostic laboratories as a fast and accurate method.
Collapse
|
12
|
Brucella melitensis biovar 1 isolation in a captive wildlife population in the United Arab Emirates. First isolation in the Scimitar-horned Oryx (Oryx dammah). Vet Microbiol 2022; 266:109360. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2022.109360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
|
13
|
Pelerito A, Nunes A, Grilo T, Isidro J, Silva C, Ferreira AC, Valdezate S, Núncio MS, Georgi E, Gomes JP. Genetic Characterization of Brucella spp.: Whole Genome Sequencing-Based Approach for the Determination of Multiple Locus Variable Number Tandem Repeat Profiles. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:740068. [PMID: 34867857 PMCID: PMC8633399 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.740068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucellosis is an important zoonosis that is emerging in some regions of the world, gaining increased relevance with the inclusion of the causing agent Brucella spp. in the class B bioterrorism group. Until now, multi-locus VNTR Analysis (MLVA) based on 16 loci has been considered as the gold standard for Brucella typing. However, this methodology is laborious, and, with the rampant release of Brucella genomes, the transition from the traditional MLVA to whole genome sequencing (WGS)-based typing is on course. Nevertheless, in order to avoid a disruptive transition with the loss of massive genetic data obtained throughout the last decade and considering that the transition timings will vary considerably among different countries, it is important to determine WGS-based MLVA alleles of the nowadays sequenced genomes. On this regard, we aimed to evaluate the performance of a Python script that had been previously developed for the rapid in silico extraction of the MLVA alleles, by comparing it to the PCR-based MLVA procedure over 83 strains from different Brucella species. The WGS-based MLVA approach detected 95.3% of all possible 1,328 hits (83 strains×16 loci) and showed an agreement rate with the PCR-based MLVA procedure of 96.4% for MLVA-16. According to our dataset, we suggest the use of a minimal depth of coverage of ~50x and a maximum number of ~200 contigs as guiding “boundaries” for the future application of the script. In conclusion, the evaluated script seems to be a very useful and robust tool for the in silico determination of MLVA profiles of Brucella strains, allowing retrospective and prospective molecular epidemiological studies, which are important for maintaining an active epidemiological surveillance of brucellosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Pelerito
- Emergency Response and Biopreparedness Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Alexandra Nunes
- Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Lisbon, Portugal.,CBIOS - Universidade Lusófona's Research Center for Biosciences & Health Technologies, Lisbon, Portugal.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Teresa Grilo
- Emergency Response and Biopreparedness Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana Isidro
- Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Catarina Silva
- Technology and Innovation Unit, Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health, Lisbon, Portugal.,Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health (ToxOmics), Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Nova Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Cristina Ferreira
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University, Lisbon, Portugal.,National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research, I.P. (INIAV, IP), Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Sylvia Valdezate
- ISCIII Reference and Research Laboratory for Taxonomy, National Centre of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Sofia Núncio
- Emergency Response and Biopreparedness Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Enrico Georgi
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany
| | - João Paulo Gomes
- Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Lisbon, Portugal.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University, Lisbon, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Kornspan D, Brendebach H, Hofreuter D, Mathur S, Blum SE, Fleker M, Bardenstein S, Al Dahouk S. Protein Biomarker Identification for the Discrimination of Brucella melitensis Field Isolates From the Brucella melitensis Rev.1 Vaccine Strain by MALDI-TOF MS. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:712601. [PMID: 34745025 PMCID: PMC8569450 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.712601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucella melitensis Rev.1 is a live attenuated vaccine strain that is widely used to control brucellosis in small ruminants. For successful surveillance and control programs, rapid identification and characterization of Brucella isolates and reliable differentiation of vaccinated and naturally infected animals are essential prerequisites. Although MALDI-TOF MS is increasingly applied in clinical microbiology laboratories for the diagnosis of brucellosis, species or even strain differentiation by this method remains a challenge. To detect biomarkers, which enable to distinguish the B. melitensis Rev.1 vaccine strain from B. melitensis field isolates, we initially searched for unique marker proteins by in silico comparison of the B. melitensis Rev.1 and 16M proteomes. We found 113 protein sequences of B. melitensis 16M that revealed a homologous sequence in the B. melitensis Rev.1 annotation and 17 of these sequences yielded potential biomarker pairs. MALDI-TOF MS spectra of 18 B. melitensis Rev.1 vaccine and 183 Israeli B. melitensis field isolates were subsequently analyzed to validate the identified marker candidates. This approach detected two genus-wide unique biomarkers with properties most similar to the ribosomal proteins L24 and S12. These two proteins clearly discriminated B. melitensis Rev.1 from the closely related B. melitensis 16M and the Israeli B. melitensis field isolates. In addition, we verified their discriminatory power using a set of B. melitensis strains from various origins and of different MLVA types. Based on our results, we propose MALDI-TOF MS profiling as a rapid, cost-effective alternative to the traditional, time-consuming approach to differentiate certain B. melitensis isolates on strain level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Kornspan
- Department of Bacteriology, Kimron Veterinary Institute (KVI), Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - Holger Brendebach
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Dirk Hofreuter
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Shubham Mathur
- Department of Bacteriology, Kimron Veterinary Institute (KVI), Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - Shlomo Eduardo Blum
- Department of Bacteriology, Kimron Veterinary Institute (KVI), Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - Marcelo Fleker
- Department of Bacteriology, Kimron Veterinary Institute (KVI), Bet Dagan, Israel
| | | | - Sascha Al Dahouk
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
An CH, Nie SM, Sun YX, Fan SP, Luo BY, Li Z, Liu ZG, Chang WH. Seroprevalence trend of human brucellosis and MLVA genotyping characteristics of Brucella melitensis in Shaanxi Province, China, during 2008-2020. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:e423-e434. [PMID: 34510783 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In this study, a total of 179,907 blood samples from populations with suspected Brucella spp. infections were collected between 2008 and 2020 and analyzed by the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and serum agglutination test (SAT). Moreover, conventional biotyping, B. abortus-melitensis-ovis-suis polymerase chain reaction (AMOS-PCR), and multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) was applied to characterize the isolated strains. A total of 8103 (4.50%) samples were positive in RBPT, while 7705 (4.28%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.19-4.37) samples were positive in SAT. There was a significant difference in seroprevalence for human brucellosis over time, in different areas and different cities (districts) (χ2 = 2 = 32.23, 1984.14, and 3749.51, p < .05). The highest seropositivity (8.22% (4, 965/60393; 95% CI 8.00-8.44) was observed in Yulin City, which borders Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, and Gansu Province, China, regions that have a high incidence of human brucellosis. Moreover, 174 Brucella strains were obtained, including nine with B. melitensis bv. 1, 145 with B. melitensis bv. 3, and 20 with B. melitensis variants. After random selection, 132 B. melitensis were further genotyped using MLVA-16. The 132 strains were sorted into 100 MLVA-16 genotypes (GTs) (GT 1-100), 81 of which were single GTs represented by singular independent strains. The remaining 19 shared GTs involved 51 strains, and each GT included two to seven isolates from the Shaan northern and Guanzhong areas. These data indicated that although sporadic cases were a dominant epidemic characteristic of human brucellosis in this province, more than 38.6% (51/132) outbreaks were also found in the Shaan northern area and Guanzhong areas. The 47 shared MLVA-16 GTs were observed in strains (n = 71) from this study and strains (n = 337) from 19 other provinces of China. These data suggest that strains from the northern provinces are a potential source of human brucellosis cases in Shaanxi Province. It is urgent to strengthen the surveillance and control of the trade and transfer of infected sheep among regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cui-Hong An
- Department of Plague and Brucellosis, Shaanxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, China.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shou-Min Nie
- Department of Plague and Brucellosis, Shaanxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, China
| | - Yang-Xin Sun
- Department of Plague and Brucellosis, Shaanxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, China
| | - Suo-Ping Fan
- Department of Plague and Brucellosis, Shaanxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, China
| | - Bo-Yan Luo
- Department of Plague and Brucellosis, Shaanxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhenjun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Diseases Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Guo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Diseases Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Wen-Hui Chang
- Department of Plague and Brucellosis, Shaanxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Banai M, Jiang H, Peng X, Feng Y, Jiang H, Ding J. The prevention and control of domesticated animal brucellosis. BIOSAFETY AND HEALTH 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bsheal.2021.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
|
17
|
Akhtar R, Ali MM, Ullah A, Muttalib A, Mehboob K, Ullah A, Ahmad N, Chohan TZ. Genotyping of Brucella strains isolated from humans and cattle of different geographical regions of Pakistan using MLVA-15. Vet Med Sci 2021; 7:1688-1695. [PMID: 34245235 PMCID: PMC8464260 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Prevalence of brucellosis and MLVA genotyping in animals and humans, isolated from different regions of Pakistan was performed. Animals having history of brucellosis from the field and local farms of Bannu, Mardan, Peshawar, Swat, Lahore and Islamabad were selected for blood collection. Humans that work with them were also selected for sampling in this study. Total of 600 samples were taken from cattle and humans and subjected to Rose Bengal plate Test (RBPT) for the initial screening of positive samples. Designed primers of B.abortus for cattle and B.melitensis for humans were utilised to perform PCR. Culturing and isolation was carried to further to perform MLVA genotyping assay through the selection of two panels of primer markers. Results RBPT showed more number of cases of brucellosis in animals and humans compared to the PCR findings. Genotyping findings based upon MLVA‐15 set of markers demonstrated that the isolated strains of B.abortus fall in the same clade with strain A1, P8 and A2 from Pakistan and also similar with BCCN#02‐45 strain from India. On the other hand, B.melitensis isolated from different districts of Pakistan shared the same clade with BwIM‐AFG 63, BwIM‐AFG 44 strains from Afghanistan and BwIM IRN 37 strain from Iran. Selected VNTR alleles were sequenced for calibration purposes. Conclusion It is concluded that Brucella is prevalent in animals and humans in studied districts of Pakistan. Moreover, A1, P8, BwIM‐AFG 63, BwIM‐AFG 44 and A2 were found the common genotypes in Pakistan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raheela Akhtar
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Muddassir Ali
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Asad Ullah
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Muttalib
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Kashan Mehboob
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Arif Ullah
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Nasim Ahmad
- Department of Theriogenology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Tahir Zahoor Chohan
- Planning and Development Division, Pakistan Agriculture Research Council, Islamabad, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Whole-Genome Sequencing for Tracing the Genetic Diversity of Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis Isolated from Livestock in Egypt. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10060759. [PMID: 34208761 PMCID: PMC8235727 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10060759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonosis that occurs worldwide. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has become a widely accepted molecular typing method for outbreak tracing and genomic epidemiology of brucellosis. Twenty-nine Brucella spp. (eight B. abortus biovar 1 and 21 B. melitensis biovar 3) were isolated from lymph nodes, milk, and fetal abomasal contents of infected cattle, buffaloes, sheep, and goats originating from nine districts in Egypt. The isolates were identified by microbiological methods and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Differentiation and genotyping were confirmed using multiplex PCR. Illumina MiSeq® was used to sequence the 29 Brucella isolates. Using MLST typing, ST11 and ST1 were identified among B. melitensis and B. abortus, respectively. Brucella abortus and B. melitensis isolates were divided into two main clusters (clusters 1 and 2) containing two and nine distinct genotypes by core-genome SNP analysis, respectively. The genotypes were irregularly distributed over time and space in the study area. Both Egyptian B. abortus and B. melitensis isolates proved to be genomically unique upon comparison with publicly available sequencing from strains of neighboring Mediterranean, African, and Asian countries. The antimicrobial resistance mechanism caused by mutations in rpoB, gyrA, and gyrB genes associated with rifampicin and ciprofloxacin resistance were identified. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the epidemiology of Brucella isolates from livestock belonging to different localities in Egypt based on whole genome analysis.
Collapse
|
19
|
Hegazy YM, Abdel-Hamid NH, Eldehiey M, Oreiby AF, Algabbary MH, Hamdy MER, Beleta EI, Martínez I, Shahein MA, García N, Eltholth M. Trans-species transmission of Brucellae among ruminants hampering brucellosis control efforts in Egypt. J Appl Microbiol 2021; 132:90-100. [PMID: 34091986 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS This study aimed to identify the genotypic fingerprinting of Brucella melitensis biovar 3 isolates from ruminants in Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt, to compare with other peers globally and to highlight the epidemiology and potential causes of brucellosis control failure. METHODS AND RESULTS A multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA 16) was carried out on 41 B. melitensis bv3 isolates, 31 from the preferential hosts (28 sheep and three goats) and 10 from atypical hosts (nine cattle and one buffalo), identified by bacteriological and molecular techniques. MLVA-16 analysis revealed 19 genotypes with nine as singletons. The most prevalent genotypes were M3_K.E (3,5,3,13,1,1,3,3,7,43,8,7,6,7,5,3), M13_K.E (3,5,3,13,1,1,3,3,7,43,8,5,8,7,7,3) and M5_K.E (3,5,3,13,1,1,3,3,7,43,8,4,8,7,11,3) circulating between different animal species. The B. melitensis isolation from aborted cows in farms that had never reared small ruminants indicates the likelihood of cow to cow B. melitensis transmission. Different genotypes of B. melitensis could be isolated from the same animal. The local geographic distribution of genotypes showed a very close genetic relatedness with genotypes reported outside the study area. Worldwide, our genotypes were mostly related to the Western Mediterranean lineage and less likely to the America's clonal lineage. CONCLUSION There is a high genetic similarity of B. melitensis bv3 genotypes among different ruminant species, and the same animal could be infected with different genotypes. There is a high probability of spreading of B. melitensis among atypical hosts in the absence of the original hosts. The genetic relatedness of B. melitensis bv3 genotypes in the study area with other different geographic areas highlighted the national and international ruminants movement role as a potential factor for maintaining B. melitensis infection. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Further investigations are required to understand the impact of the presence of more than one genotype of B. melitensis in the same animal on the efficacy of brucellosis control strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yamen Mohammed Hegazy
- Animal Medicine Department (Infectious Diseases), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt
| | - Nour Hosny Abdel-Hamid
- Brucellosis Research Department, Animal Health Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mohammed Eldehiey
- Brucellosis Research Department, Animal Health Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt
| | - Atef F Oreiby
- Animal Medicine Department (Infectious Diseases), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt
| | - Magdy Hasanian Algabbary
- Animal Medicine Department (Infectious Diseases), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud E R Hamdy
- Brucellosis Research Department, Animal Health Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt
| | - Eman Ibrahim Beleta
- Brucellosis Research Department, Animal Health Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt
| | - Irene Martínez
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Momtaz Abdelhady Shahein
- Brucellosis Research Department, Animal Health Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt
| | - Nerea García
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mahmoud Eltholth
- Hygiene and Preventive Medicine Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt.,Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Shevtsov V, Kairzhanova A, Shevtsov A, Shustov A, Kalendar R, Abdrakhmanov S, Lukhnova L, Izbanova U, Ramankulov Y, Vergnaud G. Genetic diversity of Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica in Kazakhstan. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009419. [PMID: 33999916 PMCID: PMC8158875 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Tularemia is a highly dangerous zoonotic infection due to the bacteria Francisella tularensis. Low genetic diversity promoted the use of polymorphic tandem repeats (MLVA) as first-line assay for genetic description. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is becoming increasingly accessible, opening the perspective of a time when WGS might become the universal genotyping assay. The main goal of this study was to describe F. tularensis strains circulating in Kazakhstan based on WGS data and develop a MLVA assay compatible with in vitro and in silico analysis. In vitro MLVA genotyping and WGS were performed for the vaccine strain and for 38 strains isolated in Kazakhstan from natural water bodies, ticks, rodents, carnivores, and from one migratory bird, an Isabellina wheatear captured in a rodent burrow. The two genotyping approaches were congruent and allowed to attribute all strains to two F. tularensis holarctica lineages, B.4 and B.12. The seven tandem repeats polymorphic in the investigated strain collection could be typed in a single multiplex PCR assay. Identical MLVA genotypes were produced by in vitro and in silico analysis, demonstrating full compatibility between the two approaches. The strains from Kazakhstan were compared to all publicly available WGS data of worldwide origin by whole genome SNP (wgSNP) analysis. Genotypes differing at a single SNP position were collected within a time interval of more than fifty years, from locations separated from each other by more than one thousand kilometers, supporting a role for migratory birds in the worldwide spread of the bacteria. Genotyping of Francisella tularensis has become a routine practice in epidemiology. Despite rapidly accumulating knowledge, the phylogeography of the pathogen is still poorly understood and discussions about geographic and temporal origins continue. One important reason is the poor characterization of the pathogen in many tularemia-endemic countries. This article describes the genetic diversity of Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica in Kazakhstan using tandem repeat polymorphisms as well as whole genome sequencing. Thirty-nine strains were analyzed and two lineages were identified, namely B.4 and B.12. The study demonstrates a wider distribution of genotype B.4 in Asia, and identified a more basal branching point in this subclade. The obtained data support the Asian origin hypothesis for F. tularensis. The finding of identical genotypes in strains separated in time by decades and a thousand-kilometers geographic distance, confirms the ability of the bacteria for long-term preservation and fast long distances spread. The isolation of F. tularensis subsp. holarctica from the bird species Isabellina wheatear allows speculating about a major contribution of birds to the phylogeography of the pathogen. A genotyping protocol was developed utilizing seven polymorphic tandem repeats, two of which were identified within the framework of this work. The in vitro and in silico results are identical when using sequencing reads of 300 base-pairs or more.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alma Kairzhanova
- National Center for Biotechnology, Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan
- S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University, Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan
| | - Alexandr Shevtsov
- National Center for Biotechnology, Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan
- * E-mail: (AS); (GV)
| | | | | | | | - Larissa Lukhnova
- National Scientific Center for Especially Dangerous Infections named by Masgut Aykimbayev, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Uinkul Izbanova
- National Scientific Center for Especially Dangerous Infections named by Masgut Aykimbayev, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Yerlan Ramankulov
- National Center for Biotechnology, Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan
- School of Science and Technology Nazarbayev University, Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan
| | - Gilles Vergnaud
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- * E-mail: (AS); (GV)
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Whole-Genome Sequence of a Brucella pinnipedialis Sequence Type 54 Strain Isolated from a Hooded Seal ( Cystophora cristata) from the North Atlantic Ocean, Norway. Microbiol Resour Announc 2021; 10:10/18/e00271-21. [PMID: 33958398 PMCID: PMC8103868 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00271-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the 1990s, Brucella strains have been isolated from a wide variety of marine mammal species. We report the first complete genome sequence of a Brucella strain isolated from a hooded seal (Cystophora cristata), Brucella pinnipedialis strain 23a-1 of sequence type 54, found in the North Atlantic Ocean surrounding Norway.
Collapse
|
22
|
Whatmore AM, Foster JT. Emerging diversity and ongoing expansion of the genus Brucella. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2021; 92:104865. [PMID: 33872784 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.104865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Remarkable genetic diversity and breadth of host species has been uncovered in the Brucella genus over the past decade, fundamentally changing our concept of what it means to be a Brucella. From ocean fishes and marine mammals, to pond dwelling amphibians, forest foxes, desert rodents, and cave-dwelling bats, Brucella have revealed a variety of previously unknown niches. Classical microbiological techniques have been able to help us classify many of these new strains but at times have limited our ability to see the true relationships among or within species. The closest relatives of Brucella are soil bacteria and the adaptations of Brucella spp. to live intracellularly suggest that the genus has evolved to live in vertebrate hosts. Several recently discovered species appear to have phenotypes that are intermediate between soil bacteria and core Brucella, suggesting that they may represent ancestral traits that were subsequently lost in the traditional species. Remarkably, the broad relationships among Brucella species using a variety of sequence and fragment-based approaches have been upheld when using comparative genomics with whole genomes. Nonetheless, genomes are required for fine-scale resolution of many of the relationships and for understanding the evolutionary history of the genus. We expect that the coming decades will reveal many more hosts and previously unknown diversity in a wide range of environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrian M Whatmore
- OIE and FAO Brucellosis Reference Laboratory, Department of Bacteriology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey, United Kingdom.
| | - Jeffrey T Foster
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Jiao H, Luo Y, Zhou Z, Gu G, Li B, Li W, Liu Y, Wang Y, Wang X, Zhao Y, Wu L, Chen J, Shuai X, Huang Q. Integrative Bioinformatics Indentification of the Autophagic Pathway-Associated miRNA-mRNA Networks in RAW264.7 Macrophage Cells Infected with ∆Omp25 Brucella melitensis. Inflammation 2021; 43:532-539. [PMID: 31807961 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-019-01135-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by Brucella infection. Outer membrane protein 25 (Omp25) is closely related to the virulence and immunogenicity of Brucella. However, the molecular mechanism of Omp25 affecting Brucella-mediated macrophage autophagy remains unclear. Our previous study reported that four miRNAs (the upregulation of mmu-miR-146a-5p and mmu-miR-155-5p and downregulation of mmu-miR-149-3p and mmu-miR-5126) were confirmed and revealed the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) profile in RAW264.7 macrophage cells infected with Brucella melitensis Omp25 deletion mutant (∆Omp25 B. melitensis). Here, we predicted the target genes of the four miRNAs by TargetScan, miRanda, and PicTar. GO and KEGG were used for functional enrichment analysis of DEGs profile to reveal the autophagic pathway-associated genes. The overlapped genes, which drawn the autophagic pathway-associated miRNA-mRNA networks by cytoscape software, were identified by intersecting with the predicted target genes and autophagic pathway-associated DEGs. qRT-PCR was performed to validate the mRNAs of networks. The results showed that the autophagic pathway-associated networks of mmu-miR-149-3p-Ptpn5, mmu-miR-149-3p-Ppp2r3c, and mmu-miR-146a-5p-Dusp16 were identified in RAW264.7 macrophage cells infected with ∆Omp25 B. melitensis. Our findings are of great significance in elucidating the function of Omp25, revealing the infection mechanism of Brucella and prophylaxising and treating brucellosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanwei Jiao
- Veterinary Scientific Engineering Research Center, College of Animal Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, 402460, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yichen Luo
- Veterinary Scientific Engineering Research Center, College of Animal Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, 402460, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhixiong Zhou
- Veterinary Scientific Engineering Research Center, College of Animal Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, 402460, People's Republic of China
| | - Guojing Gu
- Veterinary Scientific Engineering Research Center, College of Animal Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, 402460, People's Republic of China
| | - Bowen Li
- Veterinary Scientific Engineering Research Center, College of Animal Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, 402460, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjie Li
- Veterinary Scientific Engineering Research Center, College of Animal Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, 402460, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxuan Liu
- Veterinary Scientific Engineering Research Center, College of Animal Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, 402460, People's Republic of China
| | - Yidan Wang
- Veterinary Scientific Engineering Research Center, College of Animal Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, 402460, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinglong Wang
- Veterinary Scientific Engineering Research Center, College of Animal Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, 402460, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Veterinary Scientific Engineering Research Center, College of Animal Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, 402460, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Wu
- Veterinary Scientific Engineering Research Center, College of Animal Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, 402460, People's Republic of China
| | - Jixuan Chen
- Veterinary Scientific Engineering Research Center, College of Animal Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, 402460, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuehong Shuai
- Veterinary Scientific Engineering Research Center, College of Animal Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, 402460, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingzhou Huang
- Veterinary Scientific Engineering Research Center, College of Animal Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, 402460, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Liu Z, Wang C, Wei K, Zhao Z, Wang M, Li D, Wang H, Wei Q, Li Z. Investigation of Genetic Relatedness of Brucella Strains in Countries Along the Silk Road. Front Vet Sci 2021; 7:539444. [PMID: 33490123 PMCID: PMC7817895 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.539444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiguo Liu
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Chengling Wang
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Kongjiao Wei
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongzhi Zhao
- Qinghai Institute for Endemic Diseases Prevention and Control, Xining, China
| | - Miao Wang
- Ulanqab Center for Endemic Disease Control and Prevention, Ulanqab, China
| | - Dan Li
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Heng Wang
- Hangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiang Wei
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenjun Li
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Mirkalantari S, Masjedian F, Fateme A. Determination of investigation of the link between human and animal Brucella isolates in Iran using multiple-locus variable number tandem repeat method comprising 16 loci (MLVA-16). Braz J Infect Dis 2021; 25:101043. [PMID: 33406389 PMCID: PMC9392092 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjid.2020.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Epidemiological studies are important tools to assess the diversity of Brucella isolates and to estimate their epidemiological relationship among isolates from different geographical origins. In this study the MLVA16 (multiple-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis based on 16 loci) was employed to investigate the diversity of Brucella spp. Isolated from humans and animals for epidemiological purposes and to determine the most common Brucella genotypes in Iran. Methods We designed a molecular-based study to evaluate the potential reservoirs of human brucellosis. After isolation and identification of 54 Brucella spp human and animal specimens from three regions of Iran, bacterial genomic DNA was extracted MLVA with three panel was used for the genotyping of isolates. The size of PCR products were analyzed and converted to repeat unit numbers using a published allele numbering system and data set was imported into Bionumerics. Results Three isolates (5.55%) were identified as Brucella abortus and 51 (94.44%) as Brucella melitensis. Two isolates of Brucella abortus were from humans and one from an animal. Thirty-four Brucella melitensis isolates were from humans and 17 from animals. Using MLVA16-genotyping, 54 isolates with genetic similarity coefficient of 80% were divided into 46 genotypes and 22 genotypes were represented by a single isolate, while 4, 2, 1 and 2 genotypes were represented by 2, 3, 4 and 7 isolates, respectively. The most prevalent genotype was represented by 14 isolates. There were two other frequent genotypes each represented by seven isolates, among which only one was restricted to a geographic region. Discriminatory power for each locus was determined in this study and panel 2B shows the high discretionary power [Bruce04 (0.837), Bruce30 (0.806), Bruce 09 (0.787), Bruce 07 (0.772), Bruce16 (0.766)]. Conclusion MLVA16 analysis of 54 Brucella isolates showed high level polymorphism in their genotypes. Only two genotypes, each observed in seven isolates, were related to one another and only one of these genotypes were found in to two separate regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shiva Mirkalantari
- Iran University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Microbiology Department, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Faramarz Masjedian
- Iran University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Microbiology Department, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Amraee Fateme
- Iran University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Microbiology Department, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
MALDI-TOF MS and genomic analysis can make the difference in the clarification of canine brucellosis outbreaks. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19246. [PMID: 33159111 PMCID: PMC7648634 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75960-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucellosis is one of the most common bacterial zoonoses worldwide affecting not only livestock and wildlife but also pets. Canine brucellosis is characterized by reproductive failure in dogs. Human Brucella canis infections are rarely reported but probably underestimated due to insufficient diagnostic surveillance. To improve diagnostics, we investigated dogs in a breeding kennel that showed clinical manifestations of brucellosis and revealed positive blood cultures. As an alternative to the time-consuming and hazardous classical identification procedures, a newly developed species-specific intact-cell matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry analysis was applied, which allowed for rapid identification of B. canis and differentiation from closely related B. suis biovar 1. High-throughput sequencing and comparative genomics using single nucleotide polymorphism analysis clustered our isolates together with canine and human strains from various Central and South American countries in a distinct sub-lineage. Hence, molecular epidemiology clearly defined the outbreak cluster and demonstrated the endemic situation in South America. Our study illustrates that MALDI-TOF MS analysis using a validated in-house reference database facilitates rapid B. canis identification at species level. Additional whole genome sequencing provides more detailed outbreak information and leads to a deeper understanding of the epidemiology of canine brucellosis.
Collapse
|
27
|
Suárez-Esquivel M, Chaves-Olarte E, Moreno E, Guzmán-Verri C. Brucella Genomics: Macro and Micro Evolution. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7749. [PMID: 33092044 PMCID: PMC7589603 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Brucella organisms are responsible for one of the most widespread bacterial zoonoses, named brucellosis. The disease affects several species of animals, including humans. One of the most intriguing aspects of the brucellae is that the various species show a ~97% similarity at the genome level. Still, the distinct Brucella species display different host preferences, zoonotic risk, and virulence. After 133 years of research, there are many aspects of the Brucella biology that remain poorly understood, such as host adaptation and virulence mechanisms. A strategy to understand these characteristics focuses on the relationship between the genomic diversity and host preference of the various Brucella species. Pseudogenization, genome reduction, single nucleotide polymorphism variation, number of tandem repeats, and mobile genetic elements are unveiled markers for host adaptation and virulence. Understanding the mechanisms of genome variability in the Brucella genus is relevant to comprehend the emergence of pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Suárez-Esquivel
- Programa de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia 3000, Costa Rica; (M.S.-E.); (E.M.)
| | - Esteban Chaves-Olarte
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 1180, Costa Rica;
| | - Edgardo Moreno
- Programa de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia 3000, Costa Rica; (M.S.-E.); (E.M.)
| | - Caterina Guzmán-Verri
- Programa de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia 3000, Costa Rica; (M.S.-E.); (E.M.)
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 1180, Costa Rica;
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Epidemiologically characteristics of human brucellosis and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Brucella melitensis in Hinggan League of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. Infect Dis Poverty 2020; 9:79. [PMID: 32600403 PMCID: PMC7325291 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-020-00697-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hinggan League is located in the Northeast of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the historically endemic area of animal and human brucellosis. In this study, the epidemiological characteristics of human brucellosis were analyzed, and the genotypic profile and antimicrobial susceptibilities of Brucella melitensis strains isolated from humans in Hinggan League were investigated. METHODS The epidemic characteristics were described using case number, constituent ratio, and rate. The 418 human blood samples were collected and tested by bacteriology, and suspect colonies were isolated and identified by conventional biotyping assays, the VITEK 2.0 microbial identification system, and AMOS (Brucella abortus, B. melitensis, B. ovis, and B. suis)-PCR. Subsequently, all strains were genotyped using multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) assays, and the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Brucella strains against the 10 most commonly used antibiotics was determined by microdilution method. RESULTS A total of 22 848 cases of human brucellosis were reported from 2004 to 2019, with an annual average incidence of 87.2/100 000. The incidence rates in developed areas of animal husbandry (Horqin Youyi Qianqi [161.2/100 000] and Horqin Youyi Zhongqi [112.1/100 000]) were significantly higher than those in forest areas (Arxan [19.2/100 000]) (χ2 = 32.561, P < 0.001). In addition, peak morbidity occurred during May-August, accounting for 72.6% (16582/22 848) of cases. The highest number of cases occurred in the 40+ age group, accounting for 44.4% (10 137/22484) of cases, and morbidity in males was significantly higher than that in females in all age groups (χ2 = 299.97, P < 0.001), the most common occupation was farmers. A total of 54 B. melitensis strains were divided into 37 genotypes (GT1-37) with 80-100% genetic similarity. All 25 strains were sensitive to seven tested antibiotics, phenotypic resistance to cotrimoxazole and azithromycin was observed in 5 (20%) and 25 (100%) of the isolates, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Human brucellosis exhibited a significant increasing trend and B. melitensis is the main pathogen responsible for human brucellosis in this region. Improved surveillance of infected animals (sheep) and limiting their transfer and trade are optional strategies for decreasing the incidence of this disease.
Collapse
|
29
|
Ma SY, Liu ZG, Zhu X, Zhao ZZ, Guo ZW, Wang M, Cui BY, Li JY, Li ZJ. Molecular epidemiology of Brucella abortus strains from cattle in Inner Mongolia, China. Prev Vet Med 2020; 183:105080. [PMID: 32919319 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.105080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Although the prevalence of brucellosis in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region currently remains high, data available on the epidemiological of circulating Brucella abortus strains were limited. A total of 75 isolates obtained from cattle, sheep, and humans were analysed using both the classical method and multiple locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). There are at least three B. abortus biovars (1, 3 and 6) in this region, and B. abortus biovar 3 is the predominant one. Ten known MLVA-11 genotypes were identified, of which five genotypes (72, 75, 78, 82 and 210) were shared among strains from this study and others previously collected in two to seven different nations, suggesting that this population has multiple geographic origins. An MLVA-16 assay sorted the 75 B. abortus strains into two groups (I and II), 5 clusters (A-E) and 44 genotypes (GT1-44), with 26 unique genotypes represented by single isolates, indicating that these B. abortus brucellosis cases were not directly epidemiologically related. The remaining 18 shared genotypes (among a total of 47 isolates) were represented by two to eight isolates, suggesting that there were epidemiologically related pathogens from each shared genotype among the cases. Importantly, the cluster B1 branch including 22 cluster isolates with identical or similar genotypes confirmed the occurrence of a concentrated outbreak epidemic in the eastern region during 1988-1995. This work will contribute to better understanding of B. abortus brucellosis epidemiology in Inner Mongolia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Yi Ma
- School of Medical Technology, Baotou Medical College, Baotou 014040 China.
| | - Zhi-Guo Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 155 Changbai Road, Changping, Beijing 102206, China.
| | - Xiong Zhu
- Sanya People' s Hospital, Sanya 572000, Hainan, China.
| | - Zhong-Zhi Zhao
- Qinghai Institute for Endemic Diseases Prevention and Control, Xining, 811602, China.
| | - Zhi-Wei Guo
- Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Center for Comprehensive Disease Control and Prevention, Huhhot 010031, China.
| | - Miao Wang
- Ulanqab Centre for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Jining, 012000, Inner Mongolia, China.
| | - Bu-Yun Cui
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 155 Changbai Road, Changping, Beijing 102206, China.
| | - Jun-Yan Li
- National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Zhen-Jun Li
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 155 Changbai Road, Changping, Beijing 102206, China.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Sayour AE, Elbauomy E, Abdel-Hamid NH, Mahrous A, Carychao D, Cooley MB, Elhadidy M. MLVA fingerprinting of Brucella melitensis circulating among livestock and cases of sporadic human illness in Egypt. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 67:2435-2445. [PMID: 32304280 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Brucella melitensis is a serious public health threat, with human infection exhibiting acute febrile illness and chronic health problems. The present study investigated the genetic diversity and epidemiological links of the important zoonotic bacterium B. melitensis in Egypt using multilocus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA-16) including eight minisatellite (panel 1) and eight microsatellite (panel 2, subdivided into 2A and 2B) markers. A total of 118 isolates were identified as B. melitensis biovar 3 by classical biotyping and Bruce-ladder assay. Although B. melitensis is primarily associated with infection in sheep and goats, most of B. melitensis isolates in this study were obtained from secondary hosts (cattle, buffaloes, humans and a camel) suggesting cross-species adaptation of B. melitensis to large ruminants in Egypt. The MLVA-16 scheme competently discriminated 70 genotypes, with 51 genotypes represented by single isolates, and the remaining 19 genotypes were shared among 67 isolates, suggesting both sporadic and epidemiologically related characteristics of B. melitensis infection. Matching of local genotypes with representatives of global genotypes revealed that the majority of Egyptian isolates analysed had a West Mediterranean descendance. As this study represents the first comprehensive genotyping and genetic analysis of B. melitensis from different sources in Egypt, the information generated from this study will augment knowledge about the main epidemiological links associated with this bacterium and will allow a better understanding of the current epidemiological situation of brucellosis in Egypt. Ultimately, this will help to adopt effective brucellosis intervention strategies in Egypt and other developing nations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashraf E Sayour
- Department of Brucellosis Research, Animal Health Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt
| | - Essam Elbauomy
- Department of Brucellosis Research, Animal Health Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt
| | - Nour H Abdel-Hamid
- Department of Brucellosis Research, Animal Health Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ayman Mahrous
- Department of Zoonoses, General Organization for Veterinary Services (GOVS), Giza, Egypt
| | - Diana Carychao
- Produce Safety and Microbiology Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, Western Regional Research Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Albany, CA, USA
| | - Michael B Cooley
- Produce Safety and Microbiology Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, Western Regional Research Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Albany, CA, USA
| | - Mohamed Elhadidy
- Zewail City of Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt.,Department of Bacteriology, Mycology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Molecular characterization of Brucella ovis in Argentina. Vet Microbiol 2020; 245:108703. [PMID: 32456808 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2020.108703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Brucellosis in rams is caused by Brucella ovis or Brucella melitensis and it is considered one of the most important infectious diseases of males in sheep-raising countries. Molecular characterization of Brucella spp. achieved by multi-locus variable number of tandem repeats analysis (MLVA) is a powerful tool to genotype Brucella spp. However, data regarding B. ovis genotyping is scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterize the molecular diversity of B. ovis field-strains in Argentina. A total of 115 isolates of B. ovis from Argentina and Uruguay were genotyped using MLVA-16 and analyzed altogether with 14 publicly available B. ovis genotypes from Brazil. The Discriminatory Power (D) was 0.996 for MLVA-16 and 0.0998 for MLVA-8 and MLVA-11. Analysis of MLVA-16 revealed 100 different genotypes, all of them novel, including 90 unique ones. There was no correlation between geographical distribution and genotype and results showed a higher diversity within provinces than between provinces. Clustering analysis of the strains from Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil revealed that the 129 isolates were grouped into two clades. Whole Genome Sequencing analysis of the 19 B. ovis genomes available in public databases, and including some of the Argentinian strains used in this study, revealed clustering of the Argentinian isolates and closer relationship with B. ovis from New Zealand and Australia. This work adds new data to the poorly understood distribution map of genotypes regionally and worldwide for B. ovis and it constitutes the largest study of B. ovis molecular genotyping until now.
Collapse
|
32
|
Abdel-Hamid NH, El-Bauomy EM, Ghobashy HM, Shehata AA. Genetic variation of Brucella isolates at strain level in Egypt. Vet Med Sci 2020; 6:421-432. [PMID: 32266769 PMCID: PMC7397911 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, Multiple Locus Variable Number Tandem Repeat Analysis (MLVA‐16) was performed on 18 Brucella isolates identified bacteriologically and molecularly (AMOS‐PCR) as Brucella abortus (n = 6) and Brucella melitensis (n = 12). This was aimed to study the genetic association among some Egyptian Brucella genotypes isolated during the period from 2002 to 2013 along with the global genotypes database. MLVA‐16 analysis for B. melitensis and B. abortus strains illustrates a total of 11, and 3 genotypes with 10 and 1 singleton genotypes, respectively. B. melitensis strains displayed greater markers diversity by VNTRs analysis of the 16 loci than B. abortus and this was attributed mainly to the diverging in panel 2B markers. B. melitensis genotype M4_Fayoum_Giza (3,5,3,13,1,1,3,3,8,21,8,7,5,9,5,3) was the only predominated genotype circulating between two different governorates. The most common B. abortus genotype, GT A3_Dakahlia (4,5,4,12,2,2,3,3,6,21,8,4,4,3,4,4), was present in three identical isolates. In phylogeny, Egyptian B. abortus bv1 genotypes were closely related to East Asian strain (for the first time), Western Mediterranean and Americas clonal lineages. B. melitensis local genotypes exhibit a genetic relatedness mostly to Western Mediterranean clonal lineage and one strain of Eastern Mediterranean clonal lineage. In conclusion, the geographic location is not the only factor stands behind the high genetic similarity of the Egyptian Brucella genotypes. These low variations may be a result of a stepwise mutational event of the most variable loci from a very limited number of ancestors especially during the transmission through non‐preference hosts. The authors encourage the authorities in charge to establish pre‐movement testing to reduce the risk of brucellosis spread.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nour H Abdel-Hamid
- Department of Brucellosis Research, Animal Health Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Dokki, Egypt
| | - Essam M El-Bauomy
- Department of Brucellosis Research, Animal Health Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Dokki, Egypt
| | - Hazem M Ghobashy
- Department of Brucellosis Research, Animal Health Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Dokki, Egypt
| | - Abeer A Shehata
- Fayoum Regional Laboratory, Animal Health Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Fayoum, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Suárez-Esquivel M, Hernández-Mora G, Ruiz-Villalobos N, Barquero-Calvo E, Chacón-Díaz C, Ladner JT, Oviedo-Sánchez G, Foster JT, Rojas-Campos N, Chaves-Olarte E, Thomson NR, Moreno E, Guzmán-Verri C. Persistence of Brucella abortus lineages revealed by genomic characterization and phylodynamic analysis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008235. [PMID: 32287327 PMCID: PMC7182279 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucellosis, caused by Brucella abortus, is a major disease of cattle and humans worldwide distributed. Eradication and control of the disease has been difficult in Central and South America, Central Asia, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Epidemiological strategies combined with phylogenetic methods provide the high-resolution power needed to study relationships between surveillance data and pathogen population dynamics, using genetic diversity and spatiotemporal distributions. This information is crucial for prevention and control of disease spreading at a local and worldwide level. In Costa Rica (CR), the disease was first reported at the beginning of the 20th century and has not been controlled despite many efforts. We characterized 188 B. abortus isolates from CR recovered from cattle, humans and water buffalo, from 2003 to 2018, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed in 95 of them. They were also assessed based on geographic origin, date of introduction, and phylogenetic associations in a worldwide and national context. Our results show circulation of five B. abortus lineages (I to V) in CR, phylogenetically related to isolates from the United States, United Kingdom, and South America. Lineage I was dominant and probably introduced at the end of the 19th century. Lineage II, represented by a single isolate from a water buffalo, clustered with a Colombian sample, and was likely introduced after 1845. Lineages III and IV were likely introduced during the early 2000s. Fourteen isolates from humans were found within the same lineage (lineage I) regardless of their geographic origin within the country. The main CR lineages, introduced more than 100 years ago, are widely spread throughout the country, in contrast to new introductions that seemed to be more geographically restricted. Following the brucellosis prevalence and the farming practices of several middle- and low-income countries, similar scenarios could be found in other regions worldwide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Suárez-Esquivel
- Programa de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Gabriela Hernández-Mora
- Servicio Nacional de Salud Animal, Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Nazareth Ruiz-Villalobos
- Programa de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Elías Barquero-Calvo
- Programa de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Carlos Chacón-Díaz
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Jason T. Ladner
- The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, United States of America
| | - Gerardo Oviedo-Sánchez
- Programa de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Jeffrey T. Foster
- The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, United States of America
| | - Norman Rojas-Campos
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Esteban Chaves-Olarte
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Nicholas R. Thomson
- Parasites and Microbes from Pathogen Genomics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Edgardo Moreno
- Programa de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Caterina Guzmán-Verri
- Programa de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Cloeckaert A, Vergnaud G, Zygmunt MS. Omp2b Porin Alteration in the Course of Evolution of Brucella spp. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:284. [PMID: 32153552 PMCID: PMC7050475 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Brucella comprises major pathogenic species causing disease in livestock and humans, e.g. B. melitensis. In the past few years, the genus has been significantly expanded by the discovery of phylogenetically more distant lineages comprising strains from diverse wildlife animal species, including amphibians and fish. The strains represent several potential new species, with B. inopinata as solely named representative. Being genetically more distant between each other, relative to the “classical” Brucella species, they present distinct atypical phenotypes and surface antigens. Among surface protein antigens, the Omp2a and Omp2b porins display the highest diversity in the classical Brucella species. The genes coding for these proteins are closely linked in the Brucella genome and oriented in opposite directions. They share between 85 and 100% sequence identity depending on the Brucella species, biovar, or genotype. Only the omp2b gene copy has been shown to be expressed and genetic variation is extensively generated by gene conversion between the two copies. In this study, we analyzed the omp2 loci of the non-classical Brucella spp. Starting from two distinct ancestral genes, represented by Australian rodent strains and B. inopinata, a stepwise nucleotide reduction was observed in the omp2b gene copy. It consisted of a first reduction affecting the region encoding the surface L5 loop of the porin, previously shown to be critical in sugar permeability, followed by a nucleotide reduction in the surface L8 loop-encoding region. It resulted in a final omp2b gene size shared between two distinct clades of non-classical Brucella spp. (African bullfrog isolates) and the group of classical Brucella species. Further evolution led to complete homogenization of both omp2 gene copies in some Brucella species such as B. vulpis or B. papionis. The stepwise omp2b deletions seemed to be generated through recombination with the respective omp2a gene copy, presenting a conserved size among Brucella spp., and may involve short direct DNA repeats. Successive Omp2b porin alteration correlated with increasing porin permeability in the course of evolution of Brucella spp. They possibly have adapted their porin to survive environmental conditions encountered and to reach their final status as intracellular pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Gilles Vergnaud
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Liu ZG, Wang M, Ta N, Fang MG, Mi JC, Yu RP, Luo Y, Cao X, Li ZJ. Seroprevalence of human brucellosis and molecular characteristics of Brucella strains in Inner Mongolia Autonomous region of China, from 2012 to 2016. Emerg Microbes Infect 2020; 9:263-274. [PMID: 31997725 PMCID: PMC7034055 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2020.1720528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, a total of 1102304 serum samples were collected to detected human brucellosis between the years 2012 and 2016 in Inner Mongolia. Overall, an average of 3.79% anti-Brucella positive in Inner Mongolia was presented but the range of positive rates were among 0.90 to 7.07% in 12 regions. Seroprevalence of human brucellosis increased gradually from 2012 to 2016. However, the incidence rate of human brucellosis showed a declining trend. One hundred and seven Brucella strains were isolated and identified as B. melitensis species, and B. melitensis biovar 3 was the predominant biovar. MLVA-11 genotypes 116 was predominant and had crucial epidemiology to the human population. All 107 strains tested were sorted into 75 MLVA-16 genotypes, with 54 single genotypes representing unique isolates. This result revealed that these Brucellosis cases had epidemiologically unrelated and sporadic characteristics. The remaining 21 shared genotypes among two to four strains, confirming the occurrence of cross-infection and multiple outbreaks. Extensive genotype-events were observed between strains from this study and Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Turkey, these countries were key members of the grassland silk road. Long-time trade in small ruminants (sheep) in these countries has possibly promoted the spread of Brucella spp. in these regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Guo Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Comprehensive Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Huhhot, People's Republic of China
| | - Miao Wang
- Ulanqab Centre for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Jining, Inner Mongolia
| | - Na Ta
- Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Comprehensive Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Huhhot, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng-Gang Fang
- Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Comprehensive Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Huhhot, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing-Chuan Mi
- Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Comprehensive Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Huhhot, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui-Ping Yu
- Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Comprehensive Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Huhhot, People's Republic of China
| | - Yao Luo
- Farmer School of Business, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Xiaoan Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen-Jun Li
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Ambroise J, Irenge LM, Durant JF, Bearzatto B, Bwire G, Stine OC, Gala JL. Backward compatibility of whole genome sequencing data with MLVA typing using a new MLVAtype shiny application for Vibrio cholerae. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0225848. [PMID: 31825986 PMCID: PMC6905556 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple-Locus Variable Number of Tandem Repeats (VNTR) Analysis (MLVA) is widely used by laboratory-based surveillance networks for subtyping pathogens causing foodborne and water-borne disease outbreaks. However, Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) has recently emerged as the new more powerful reference for pathogen subtyping, making a data conversion method necessary which enables the users to compare the MLVA identified by either method. The MLVAType shiny application was designed to extract MLVA profiles of Vibrio cholerae isolates from WGS data while ensuring backward compatibility with traditional MLVA typing methods. METHODS To test and validate the MLVAType algorithm, WGS-derived MLVA profiles of nineteen Vibrio cholerae isolates from Democratic Republic of the Congo (n = 9) and Uganda (n = 10) were compared to MLVA profiles generated by an in silico PCR approach and Sanger sequencing, the latter being used as the reference method. RESULTS Results obtained by Sanger sequencing and MLVAType were totally concordant. However, the latter were affected by censored estimations whose percentage was inversely proportional to the k-mer parameter used during genome assembly. With a k-mer of 127, less than 15% estimation of V. cholerae VNTR was censored. Preventing censored estimation was only achievable when using a longer k-mer size (i.e. 175), which is not proposed in the SPAdes v.3.13.0 software. CONCLUSION As NGS read lengths and qualities tend to increase with time, one may expect the increase of k-mer size in a near future. Using MLVAType application with a longer k-mer size will then efficiently retrieve MLVA profiles from WGS data while avoiding censored estimation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme Ambroise
- Center for Applied Molecular Technologies, Institute of Clinical and Experimental Research, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Léonid M. Irenge
- Center for Applied Molecular Technologies, Institute of Clinical and Experimental Research, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jean-François Durant
- Center for Applied Molecular Technologies, Institute of Clinical and Experimental Research, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bertrand Bearzatto
- Center for Applied Molecular Technologies, Institute of Clinical and Experimental Research, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Godfrey Bwire
- Ministry of Health Uganda, Department of Community Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - O. Colin Stine
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jean-Luc Gala
- Center for Applied Molecular Technologies, Institute of Clinical and Experimental Research, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Islam MS, Garofolo G, Sacchini L, Dainty AC, Khatun MM, Saha S, Islam MA. First isolation, identification and genetic characterization of Brucella abortus biovar 3 from dairy cattle in Bangladesh. Vet Med Sci 2019; 5:556-562. [PMID: 31452358 PMCID: PMC6868452 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by bacteria Brucella spp. belonging to the genus Brucella. It is endemic in domesticated animals in Bangladesh. Isolation, identification and genetic characterization of Brucella spp. in dairy cattle are essential to undertake appropriate control and preventive measures. The study was conducted to isolate and characterize the Brucella spp. circulating in dairy cattle. METHODS Uterine discharge (n = 45), milk (n = 115), vaginal swab (n = 71), placenta (n = 7) and aborted fetus (n = 2) were collected. Brucella selective agar plates were inoculated with samples and incubated at 37 ◦ C for 14 days under 5% CO2 for isolation of Brucella spp. Brucella suspected colonies were recovered from samples were confirmed by genus and species specific PCR assays. Genetic characterization was performed by Multi Locus Variable number tandem-repeat Analysis-16 (MLVA-16). RESULTS The isolates of Brucella recovered from samples were confirmed as B. abortus by AMOS-ERY PCR assay. The classical biotyping method confirmed all 10 B. abortus isolates belonged to the biovar 3. The MLVA-16 assay indicated all B. abortus isolates identical and the same genotype 40, based on panel 1 MLVA-8. CONCLUSION Dendrogram analysis revealed all B. abortus isolates of the study were identical to three isolates from Brazil, one isolate of France and closely related to Chinese isolates. This is the first report of isolation and genetic characterization of B. abortus from the dairy cattle in Bangladesh.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Md. Sadequl Islam
- Department of Microbiology and HygieneBangladesh Agricultural UniversityMymensinghBangladesh
- Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology UniversityDinajpurBangladesh
| | - Giuliano Garofolo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale"TeramoItaly
| | - Lorena Sacchini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale"TeramoItaly
| | | | - Mst. Minara Khatun
- Department of Microbiology and HygieneBangladesh Agricultural UniversityMymensinghBangladesh
| | - Sukumar Saha
- Department of Microbiology and HygieneBangladesh Agricultural UniversityMymensinghBangladesh
| | - Md. Ariful Islam
- Department of Microbiology and HygieneBangladesh Agricultural UniversityMymensinghBangladesh
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Sacchini L, Wahab T, Di Giannatale E, Zilli K, Abass A, Garofolo G, Janowicz A. Whole Genome Sequencing for Tracing Geographical Origin of Imported Cases of Human Brucellosis in Sweden. Microorganisms 2019; 7:E398. [PMID: 31561594 PMCID: PMC6843523 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7100398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Human infections with Brucella melitensis are occasionally reported in Sweden, despite the fact that the national flocks of sheep and goats are officially free from brucellosis. The aim of our study was to analyze 103 isolates of B. melitensis collected from patients in Sweden between 1994 and 2016 and determine their putative geographic origin using whole genome sequencing (WGS)-based tools. The majority of the strains were assigned to East Mediterranean and African lineages. Both in silico Multiple Loci VNTR (Variable Number of Tandem Repeats) Analysis (MLVA) and core genome Multilocus Sequence Typing (cgMLST) analyses identified countries of the Middle East as the most probable source of origin of the majority of the strains. Isolates collected from patients with travel history to Iraq or Syria were often associated with genotypes from Turkey, as the cgMLST profiles from these countries clustered together. Sixty strains were located within a distance of 20 core genes to related genotypes from the publicly available database, and for eighteen isolates, the closest genotype was different by more than 50 loci. Our study showed that WGS based tools are effective in tracing back the geographic origin of infection of patients with unknown travel status, provided that public sequences from the location of the source are available.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Sacchini
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | - Tara Wahab
- Department of Microbiology, Public Health Agency of Sweden, 171 82 Solna, Sweden.
| | - Elisabetta Di Giannatale
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | - Katiuscia Zilli
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | - Anna Abass
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | - Giuliano Garofolo
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | - Anna Janowicz
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Shevtsova E, Vergnaud G, Shevtsov A, Shustov A, Berdimuratova K, Mukanov K, Syzdykov M, Kuznetsov A, Lukhnova L, Izbanova U, Filipenko M, Ramankulov Y. Genetic Diversity of Brucella melitensis in Kazakhstan in Relation to World-Wide Diversity. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1897. [PMID: 31456793 PMCID: PMC6700508 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe the genetic diversity of 1327 Brucella strains from human patients in Kazakhstan using multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis (MLVA). All strains were assigned to the Brucella melitensis East Mediterranean group and clustered into 16 MLVA11 genotypes, nine of which are reported for the first time. MLVA11 genotype 116 predominates (86.8%) and is present all over Kazakhstan indicating existence and temporary preservation of a “founder effect” among B. melitensis strains circulating in Central Eurasia. The diversity pattern observed in humans is highly similar to the pattern previously reported in animals. The diversity observed by MLVA suggested that the epidemiological status of brucellosis in Kazakhstan is the result of the introduction of a few lineages, which have subsequently diversified at the most unstable tandem repeat loci. This investigation will allow to select the most relevant strains for testing these hypotheses via whole genome sequencing and to subsequently adjust the genotyping scheme to the Kazakhstan epidemiological situation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Gilles Vergnaud
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | | | | | | | - Kasim Mukanov
- National Center for Biotechnology, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
| | - Marat Syzdykov
- Kazakh Scientific Center for Quarantine and Zoonotic Diseases, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Andrey Kuznetsov
- Kazakh Scientific Center for Quarantine and Zoonotic Diseases, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Larissa Lukhnova
- Kazakh Scientific Center for Quarantine and Zoonotic Diseases, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Uinkul Izbanova
- Kazakh Scientific Center for Quarantine and Zoonotic Diseases, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Maxim Filipenko
- National Center for Biotechnology, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.,Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Novosibirsk, Russia.,Synthetic Biology Department, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Yerlan Ramankulov
- National Center for Biotechnology, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.,School of Science and Technology, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Ledwaba MB, Gomo C, Lekota KE, Le Flèche P, Hassim A, Vergnaud G, van Heerden H. Molecular characterization of Brucella species from Zimbabwe. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007311. [PMID: 31107864 PMCID: PMC6544324 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucella abortus and B. melitensis have been reported in several studies in animals in Zimbabwe but the extent of the disease remains poorly known. Thus, characterizing the circulating strains is a critical first step in understanding brucellosis in the country. In this study we used an array of molecular assays including AMOS-PCR, Bruce-ladder, multiple locus variable number tandem repeats analysis (MLVA) and single nucleotide polymorphisms from whole genome sequencing (WGS-SNP) to characterize Brucella isolates to the species, biovar, and individual strain level. Sixteen Brucella strains isolated in Zimbabwe at the Central Veterinary laboratory from various hosts were characterized using all or some of these assays. The strains were identified as B. ovis, B. abortus, B. canis and B. suis, with B. canis being the first report of this species in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwean strains identified as B. suis and B. abortus were further characterized with whole genome sequencing and were closely related to reference strains 1330 and 86/8/59, respectively. We demonstrate the range of different tests that can be performed from simple assays that can be run in laboratories lacking sophisticated instrumentation to whole genome analyses that currently require substantial expertise and infrastructure often not available in the developing world.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maphuti Betty Ledwaba
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Calvin Gomo
- Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL), Harare, Zimbabwe
- Chinhoyi University of Technology, Department of Animal Production and Technology, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Kgaugelo Edward Lekota
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Philippe Le Flèche
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Ayesha Hassim
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Gilles Vergnaud
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Henriette van Heerden
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Zange S, Schneider K, Georgi E, Scholz HC, Antwerpen MH, Walter MC, Zoeller L, von Buttlar H, Borde JP. A headache with surprising outcome: first case of brucellosis caused by Brucella suis biovar 1 in Germany. Infection 2019; 47:863-868. [PMID: 31073709 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-019-01312-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
In July 2018, brucellosis was diagnosed in a German patient without a travel history to regions endemic for Brucella. Microbiological analysis, including whole-genome sequencing, revealed Brucella suis biovar 1 as the etiologic agent. Core-genome-based multilocus sequence-typing analysis placed the isolate in close proximity to strains originating from Argentina. Notably, despite a strong IgM response, the patient did not develop Brucella-specific IgG antibodies during infection. Here, we describe the clinical course of infection, the extensive epidemiological investigations, and discuss possible routes of transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Zange
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, 80937, Munich, Germany. .,National Consultant Laboratory for Brucellosis, 80937, Munich, Germany.
| | - Kim Schneider
- Ortenauklinikum Offenburg-Gengenbach, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 77654, Offenburg, Germany
| | - Enrico Georgi
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, 80937, Munich, Germany
| | - Holger C Scholz
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, 80937, Munich, Germany.,National Consultant Laboratory for Brucellosis, 80937, Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - Lothar Zoeller
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, 80937, Munich, Germany.,National Consultant Laboratory for Brucellosis, 80937, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Johannes P Borde
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine II, University of Freiburg, Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.,Praxis Dr. J. Borde/Gesundheitszentrum Oberkirch, 77704, Oberkirch, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Phylogeography and epidemiology of Brucella suis biovar 2 in wildlife and domestic swine. Vet Microbiol 2019; 233:68-77. [PMID: 31176415 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2019.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
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.
Collapse
|
43
|
De Massis F, Zilli K, Di Donato G, Nuvoloni R, Pelini S, Sacchini L, D’Alterio N, Di Giannatale E. Distribution of Brucella field strains isolated from livestock, wildlife populations, and humans in Italy from 2007 to 2015. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213689. [PMID: 30901346 PMCID: PMC6430384 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucellosis is a major public health problem still prevalent as a neglected endemic zoonosis requiring proactive attention in many communities worldwide. The present study involved analysis of Brucella field strains submitted for typing to the Italian National Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis from 2007 to 2015. Strains were identified at the species and biovar levels by classic and molecular techniques according to the World Organisation for Animal Health Manual. In total, 5,784 strains were typed: 3,089 Brucella abortus (53.4%), 2,497 B. melitensis (43.2%), 10 B. ovis (0.2%), 181 B. suis (3.1%), and 7 B. ceti (0.1%). The 2,981 strains from cattle were typed as B. abortus biovars 1, 3, and 6 (90.1%) and B. melitensis biovar 3 (9.9%). The 318 strains from water buffalo were typed as B. abortus biovars 1, 3 (95.9%) and B. melitensis biovar 3 (4.1%). The 2,279 strains from sheep and goats were typed as B. abortus biovars 1 and 3 (4.3%); B. melitensis biovars 1, 3, (95.3%); and B. ovis (0.4%). The 173 strains from wild boar were typed as B. suis biovar 2 (98.3%) and B. melitensis biovar 3 (1.7%). The 11 strains from pigs were typed as B. suis biovar 2. The 13 strains from humans were typed as B. melitensis biovar 3. The two strains from horses were typed as B. abortus biovar 1, while the seven strains from dolphins were typed as B. ceti. This additional knowledge on the epidemiology of brucellosis in Italy may be useful to formulate policies and strategies for the control and eradication of the disease in animal populations. The animal species affected, biovars typed, geographical origins, and spatial distributions of isolates are herein analyzed and discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio De Massis
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise ‘G. Caporale,’ Campo Boario, Teramo, Italy
| | - Katiuscia Zilli
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise ‘G. Caporale,’ Campo Boario, Teramo, Italy
| | - Guido Di Donato
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise ‘G. Caporale,’ Campo Boario, Teramo, Italy
| | | | - Sandro Pelini
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise ‘G. Caporale,’ Campo Boario, Teramo, Italy
| | - Lorena Sacchini
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise ‘G. Caporale,’ Campo Boario, Teramo, Italy
| | - Nicola D’Alterio
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise ‘G. Caporale,’ Campo Boario, Teramo, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Di Giannatale
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise ‘G. Caporale,’ Campo Boario, Teramo, Italy
| |
Collapse
|