MedWorm: Brucellosis

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Brucellosis in a High-Risk Group of Individuals in Bangladesh

Foodborne Pathogens and Disease — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:34:13 +0100

Foodborne Pathogens and Disease , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: Foodborne Pathogens and Disease)

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Serological and bacteriological responses of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) vaccinated with two doses of Brucella abortus strain RB51 vaccine

Tropical Animal Health and Production — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:11:52 +0100

Abstract Thirty-two water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves aged 6–10 months were used to evaluate serological responses to Brucella abortus strain RB51 (RB51) vaccination in a dose–response study and to compare the use of two selective media for the isolation of RB51. The animals were randomly divided into three treatment groups. Groups I–III received the recommended vaccine dose (RD) twice 4 weeks apart, RD twice 18 weeks apart and saline once, respectively. Lymph nodes were excised from the three groups and subjected to bacteriological examination to determine the frequency of detection of RB51. Pre- and post-vaccination blood samples were collected and tested for B. abortus antibodies using the buffered plate agglutination test (BPAT), complement fixa...

Unusual presentations of pediatric neurobrucellosis.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Budnik I, Fuchs I, Shelef I, Krymko H, Greenberg D Abstract Abstract. Neurobrucellosis is an uncommon complication of pediatric brucellosis. Acute meningitis and encephalitis are the most common clinical manifestations, however symptoms may be protean and diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion in patients from endemic areas. Diagnosis is often based on neurological symptoms, serology, and suggestive brain imaging because cerebrospinal fluid culture yields are low. Two cases of pediatric neurobrucellosis with unusual clinical and radiologic findings are presented. PMID: 22302859 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene)

Polar growth in the Alphaproteobacterial order Rhizobiales [Microbiology]

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Elongation of many rod-shaped bacteria occurs by peptidoglycan synthesis at discrete foci along the sidewall of the cells. However, within the Rhizobiales, there are many budding bacteria, in which new cell growth is constrained to a specific region. The phylogeny of the Rhizobiales indicates that this mode of zonal growth may be ancestral. We demonstrate that the rod-shaped bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens grows unidirectionally from the new pole generated after cell division and has an atypical peptidoglycan composition. Polar growth occurs under all conditions tested, including when cells are attached to a plant root and under conditions that induce virulence. Finally, we show that polar growth also occurs in the closely related bacteria Sinorhizobium meliloti, Brucella abortus, and ...

Exploiting the Campylobacter jejuni protein glycosylation system for glycoengineering vaccines and diagnostic tools directed against brucellosis

Microbial Cell Factories — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Bacterial engineered glycoproteins show promising applications for the development on an array of diagnostics and immunoprotective opportunities in the future. (Source: Microbial Cell Factories)

Identification and functional analysis of the cyclopropane fatty acid synthase of Brucella abortus.

Microbiology — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We examined the role of lactobacillic acid in B. abortus virulence by creating a mutant in ORF BAB1_0476, the putative CFA synthase gene. The mutant did not incorporate [14C]-methyl groups into lipids, lacked CFAs and synthesized the unsaturated precursors, proving that BAB1_0476 actually encodes a CFA synthase. BAB1_0476 promotor-luxAB fusion studies showed that CFA synthase expression was promoted by acid pH and high osmolarity. The mutant was not attenuated in macrophages or mice, strongly suggesting that CFAs are not essential for B. abortus intracellular life. However, when the mutant was tested under high osmolarity on agar and acid pH, two conditions likely to occur on contaminated materials and fomites, they showed reduced ability to growth or survive. Since CFA synthesis entails h...

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Selective subversion of autophagy complexes facilitates completion of the Brucella intracellular cycle.

Cell Host and Microbe — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Starr T, Child R, Wehrly TD, Hansen B, Hwang S, López-Otin C, Virgin HW, Celli J Abstract Autophagy is a cellular degradation process that can capture and eliminate intracellular microbes by delivering them to lysosomes for destruction. However, pathogens have evolved mechanisms to subvert this process. The intracellular bacterium Brucella abortus ensures its survival by forming the Brucella-containing vacuole (BCV), which traffics from the endocytic compartment to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where the bacterium proliferates. We show that Brucella replication in the ER is followed by BCV conversion into a compartment with autophagic features (aBCV). While Brucella trafficking to the ER was unaffected in autophagy-deficient cells, aBCV formation required the autophag...

Brucella "hitches a ride" with autophagy.

Cell Host and Microbe — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Brucella "hitches a ride" with autophagy. Cell Host Microbe. 2012 Jan 19;11(1):2-4 Authors: Brumell JH Abstract Autophagy involves lysosomal-mediated degradation of cellular components and contributes to host immunity. Some pathogens avoid autophagy-mediated killing, while others exploit it to acquire host cell nutrients. Starr et al. reveal that the intracellular bacterial pathogen Brucella abortus can "hitch a ride" with autophagy, subverting autophagy machinery to spread from cell to cell (Starr et al., 2012). PMID: 22264507 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Cell Host and Microbe)

Granulomatous myositis associated with brucellosis: A case report and literature review

Muscle and Nerve — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 03:12:05 +0100

We report a 16‐year‐old boy with subacute, fluctuating, progressive muscle pain, with tenderness, swelling, and diffuse, asymmetric weakness. He also had significantly elevated serum Brucella titers and a muscle biopsy showed inflammatory granulomatous myositis. We review the literature on myositis associated with brucellosis. Muscle Nerve, 2012 (Source: Muscle and Nerve)

Oxidant and antioxidant parameters in patients with Brucella canis.

Clinical Biochemistry — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Findings of this study have shown that B. canis generate low TOS and OSI index in man compared with smooth Brucella species infection. This difference may help to provide understanding about the pathogenesis of B. canis infection in man. PMID: 22266398 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Biochemistry)

Acellular Vaccines for Ovine BrucellosisAcellular Vaccines for Ovine Brucellosis

Medscape Today Headlines — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 04:00:00 +0100

The importance of vaccination in the control of animal brucellosis diseases is unquestionable; however, there are many concerns with this practice. Expert Review of Vaccines (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

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Unusual presentation of neurobrucellosis: a solitary intracranial mass lesion mimicking a cerebral tumor

Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 06:42:04 +0100

Abstract Among the diverse presentations of neurobrucellosis, solitary intracranial mass lesions are extremely rare. To the best of our knowledge, we describe here the second case of neurobrucellosis mimicking a cerebral tumor caused by Brucella melitensis. The mass lesion was clinically and radiologically indistinguishable from a brain tumor. The diagnosis was established by isolating Brucella melitensis in a blood culture and a positive Wright’s agglutination test on the cerebrospinal fluid at 1:320 titers. Paraffin sections of the cerebral mass showed nongranulomatous encephalitis. We suggest that patients with an isolated intraparenchymal mass lesion with nongranulomatous encephalitis should also be studied for brucellosis in endemic areas. Content Type Journ...

Role of TLRs in Brucella mediated murine DC activation in vitro and clearance of pulmonary infection in vivo.

Vaccine — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Surendran N, Hiltbold EM, Heid B, Akira S, Standiford TJ, Sriranganathan N, Boyle SM, Zimmerman KL, Makris MR, Witonsky SG Abstract Brucellosis is worldwide zoonoses affecting 500,000 people annually with no approved human vaccines available. Live attenuated Brucella abortus vaccine strain RB51 protects cattle through CD4 and CD8 T-cell mediated responses. However, limited information is known regarding how Brucella stimulate innate immunity. Although the most critical toll like receptors (TLRs) involved in the recognition of Brucella are TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9, it is important to identify the essential TLRs that induce DC activation/function in response to Brucella, to be able to upregulate both vaccine strain RB51-mediated protection, and clearance of pathogenic strain 2308...

Heterophil/lymphocyte ratios predict the magnitude of humoral immune response to a novel antigen in great tits (Parus major).

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Krams I, Vrublevska J, Cirule D, Kivleniece I, Krama T, Rantala MJ, Sild E, Hõrak P Abstract Animals display remarkable individual variation in their capacity to mount immune responses against novel antigens. According to the life-history theory, this variation is caused by the costs of immune responses to the hosts. We studied one of such potential costs, depletion of somatic resources in wintering wild-caught captive passerines, the great tits (Parus major) by immune challenging the birds with a novel antigen, killed Brucella abortus (BA) suspension. We found that despite mild temperature conditions in captivity and ad libitum availability of food, immune challenge depleted somatic resources (as indicated by a body mass loss) and elevated relative proportion of heteroph...

Role of bacterial disease on daily rhythm of some metabolic parameters in dairy cow

Comparative Clinical Pathology — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:53:11 +0100

Abstract The existence of daily rhythmicity of serum total proteins, their fractions and some biochemical parameters in healthy cows (group A) and in cows affected by Brucella abortus (group B) was assessed in order to clarify the role of circadian timing processes in healthy and disease in cows. On each subject, blood samples were collected, every 4 h over a 24-h period, starting at 12:00 on day 1 and finishing at 12:00 on day 2, via intravenous cannulas inserted into the jugular vein. On all samples, serum total proteins and their fractions (α1-, α2-, β1-, β2- and γ-globulins), gammaglutamyl transferase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine and urea were assessed. The application of one-way analy...

Surgical treatment of spondylodiscitis. An update

International Orthopaedics — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 06:48:05 +0100

Abstract Concept Spondylodiscitis refers to an infection affecting the intervertebral disk, the vertebral body or the posterior arch of the vertebra being aetiologically, pyogenic, granulomatous (tuberculosis, brucellosis, or fungal infection) or parasitic. Diagnosis Spondylodiscitis diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms, a combination of erythrocyte sedimentation rate with C-reactive protein (CRP) tests and, less useful, leukocytosis. Blood culture is also a very cost-effective method of identifying organisms. Plain radiographs are useful, however changes may take several months to appear. Radionuclide tests are currently less used; nevertheless, fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) shows encouraging results particular...

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Scientists crack medieval bone code

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Michigan State University) Michigan State University researchers are the first to confirm the existence of brucellosis, an infectious disease still prevalent today, in ancient skeletal remains. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Oral immunization of mice with recombinant Lactococcus lactis expressing Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase of Brucella abortus triggers protective immunity.

Vaccine — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Sáez D, Fernández P, Rivera A, Andrews E, Oñate A Abstract Brucella infections mainly occur through mucosal surfaces. Thus, the development of mucosal administered vaccines could be instrumental for the control of brucellosis. Here, we evaluated the usefulness of recombinant Lactococcus lactis secreting Brucella abortus Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) as oral antigen delivery system, when administered alone or in combination with L. lactis expressing IL-12. To this end, mice were vaccinated by oral route with L. lactis NZ9000 transformed with pSEC derivatives encoding for SOD (pSEC:SOD) and IL-12 (pSEC:scIL-12). In animals receiving L. lactis pSEC:SOD alone, anti-SOD-specific IgM antibodies were detected in sera at day 28 post-vaccination, together with an IgG2a domina...

The plague of thebes, a historical epidemic in sophocles' oedipus rex.

Emerging Infectious Diseases — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kousoulis AA, Economopoulos KP, Poulakou-Rebelakou E, Androutsos G, Tsiodras S Abstract Sophocles, one of the most noted playwrights of the ancient world, wrote the tragedy Oedipus Rex in the first half of the decade 430-420 bc. A lethal plague is described in this drama. We adopted a critical approach to Oedipus Rex in analyzing the literary description of the disease, unraveling its clinical features, and defining a possible underlying cause. Our goals were to clarify whether the plague described in Oedipus Rex reflects an actual historical event; to compare it with the plague of Athens, which was described by Thucydides as occurring around the same time Sophocles wrote; and to propose a likely causative pathogen. A critical reading of Oedipus Rex and a comparison with T...

Osteological and molecular identification of brucellosis in ancient Butrint, Albania

American Journal of Physical Anthropology — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, anthropological analysis of skeletal remains from the ancient Albanian city of Butrint identified individuals with severe circular lytic lesions on their thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. Differential diagnosis suggested that the lesions resulted from pathologies known to affect these skeletal regions, such as tuberculosis (TB) or brucellosis. Relevant bones of two adolescent males from the 10th to 13th century AD that displayed the lesions, along with unaffected individuals, were collected in the field. Genetic screening of the skeletal samples for TB was repeatedly negative, thus additional testing for Brucella spp.—bacteria of livestock and the causative agent of brucellosis in humans—was conducted. Two Brucella DNA markers, the IS6501 insertion element and Bcsp31 gene, ...

Intra-species biodiversity of the genetically homologous species Brucella microti.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Al Dahouk S, Hofer E, Tomaso H, Vergnaud G, Le Flèche P, Cloeckaert A, Koylass MS, Whatmore AM, Nöckler K, Scholz HC Abstract Brucellosis is one of the major bacterial zoonoses worldwide. In the last decade, an increasing number of atypical Brucella strains and species have been described. Brucella microti in particular attracted attention because this species not only infects mammalian hosts but also persists in soil. An environmental reservoir may pose a new public health risk leading to the re-emergence of brucellosis. In a polyphasic approach, comprising conventional microbiological, extensive biochemical and molecular techniques, all currently available B. microti strains were characterized.Although differing in their natural habitat and host preference, B. microti ...

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Comparison of conventional and non-conventional techniques for the diagnosis of bovine brucellosis in Sudan

Tropical Animal Health and Production — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 16:45:24 +0100

The objective of the present study was to detect brucellosis in suspected dairy cattle in Khartoum State, Sudan using the conventional serological tests and tests done on milk in comparison to a PCR-based technique. Milk and blood samples collected simultaneously from suspected brucellosis cows (n = 147) in 12 different dairy farms around Khartoum State were used in the study. Overall, 54 (36.7%) of the total milk samples were positive according to the milk ring test (MRT), while 29 (19.7%) of the serum samples were positive according to the Rose Bengal test (RBT); microscopy on modified Ziehl–Neelsen-stained slides detected 13.6% of the cases, and recovery of Brucella species on both Brucella medium and tryptic soya agar was 7.5%. Thirty-three (22.4%) samples were found positive...

Evaluation of serological tests for diagnosis of brucellosis.

Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 15:27:37 +0100

Authors: Pabuccuoglu O, Ecemis T, El S, Coskun A, Akcali S, Sanlidag T Abstract The aim of the present study was to compare serological tests (Rose Bengal [RB]; standard agglutination test [SAT]; enzyme immunoassay [EIA] for detection of IgM, IgA, and IgG; and 2-mercaptoethanol [2-ME] test) that are routinely used in patients prediagnosed with different clinical types of brucellosis (acute, subacute, or chronic), and to evaluate the results of the IgG avidity test. Ninety-two patients having titers≥1/160 as measured by SAT were included in the study. The IgG avidity test was performed in 78 patients who had positive EIA-IgG results. RB test results were positive in 88 (95.7%) patients. A statistically significant correlation was found between a positive EIA-IgM result and the dia...

Reliable identification at the species level of Brucella isolates with MALDI-TOF-MS

BMC Microbiology - Latest articles — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: MALDI-TOF-MS can be developed into a fast and reliable identification method for genetically highly related species when potential taxonomic and genetic inconsistencies are taken into consideration during the generation of the reference library. (Source: BMC Microbiology - Latest articles)

Brucellosis and type IV secretion

Future Microbiology — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:15:36 +0100

Future Microbiology , January 2012, Vol. 7, No. 1, Pages 47-58. (Source: Future Microbiology)

Brucellar testicular abscess: a rare cause of testicular mass

Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:41:15 +0100

We report a case of brucellar testicular abscess treated with medical therapy only. Although the patient recovered clinically at the end of 6 weeks, the regression of the testicular lesion could not be observed until after 5 months. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Case ReportPages 1-4DOI 10.1007/s10156-011-0354-7Authors Mucahit Yemisen, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Balikligol State Hospital, 34303 Sanliurfa, TurkeyEkrem Karakas, Department of Radiology, Sanliurfa State Hospital, Sanliurfa, TurkeyIsmail Ozdemir, Department of Urology, Sanliurfa State Hospital, Sanliurfa, TurkeyOmer Karakas, Department of Radiology, Sanliurfa State Hospital, Sanliurfa, Turkey Journal Journal of Infection and ChemotherapyOnline ISSN 1437-7780Print ...

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Extended safety and efficacy studies of the attenuated Brucella vaccine candidates 16M{Delta}vjbR and S19{Delta}vjbR in the immunocompromised IRF-1-/- mouse model.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Arenas-Gamboa AM, Rice-Ficht AC, Fan Y, Kahl-McDonagh MM, Ficht TA Abstract The global distribution of brucellosis and high incidence in certain areas of the world warrants the development of a safer and efficacious vaccine. For the past ten years, we have focused our attention on the development of a safer, but still highly protective, live-attenuated vaccine for human and animal use. We have demonstrated the safety and protective efficacy of the vaccine candidates 16MΔvjbR and S19ΔvjbR against homologous and heterologous challenge in multiple immunocompetent animal models including mice and deer. In the present study, we conducted a series of experiments to determine the safety of the vaccine candidates in the Interferon regulatory factor (IRF(-/-)) knockout mice. IRF-...

Representative Seroprevalences of Brucellosis in Humans and Livestock in Kyrgyzstan

EcoHealth — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 07:01:13 +0100

In conclusion, this study confirms the high seroprevalence of brucellosis in Kyrgyzstan and warrants rapid effective intervention, among others, by mass vaccination of sheep and goats but also of cattle. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ContributionPages 1-7DOI 10.1007/s10393-011-0722-xAuthors Bassirou Bonfoh, Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire, 01 BP 1303 Abidjan01, Côte d’Ivoire, Ivory CoastJoldoshbek Kasymbekov, Kyrgyz Research Institute of Veterinary (KRIV), 60 Togolok Moldo Street, Bishkek, KyrgyzstanSalome Dürr, Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Schwarzenburgstr 155, 3097 Liebefeld, SwitzerlandNurjan Toktobaev, Kyrgyz-Swiss-Swedish Health Project, Swiss Red Cross, 187/1 Sydykova Street, Bish...

Comparison of diagnostic tests for the detection of Brucella spp. in camel sera

BMC Research Notes — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: We suggest combining bcsp31 real-time PCR with either FPA, CFT, RBT or SAT to screen camels for brucellosis. (Source: BMC Research Notes)

A Review of Zoonotic Disease Surveillance Supported by the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center

Zoonoses and Public Health — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

SummaryThe Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center (AFHSC), Division of Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System conducts disease surveillance through a global network of US Department of Defense research laboratories and partnerships with foreign ministries of agriculture, health and livestock development in over 90 countries worldwide. In 2010, AFHSC supported zoonosis survey efforts were organized into four main categories: (i) development of field assays for animal disease surveillance during deployments and in resource limited environments, (ii) determining zoonotic disease prevalence in high‐contact species which may serve as important reservoirs of diseases and sources of transmission, (iii) surveillance in high‐risk human populations which are more likely to ...

Brucellosis, taiwan, 2011.

Emerging Infectious Diseases — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Chuang YC, Chen SC, Mu JJ, Lin HY, Chang CH, Yang WS, Hsueh PR Abstract TO THE EDITOR: Human brucellosis is the most common zoonosis worldwide (1-4). The disease is transmitted to humans through the consumption of infected meat and raw dairy products from domestic livestock or by direct or indirect contact with infected animals (1-3). The disease is multisystemic and shows wide clinical polymorphism (2-4). PMID: 22172150 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases)

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Brucella suis Infection in Dogs, Georgia, USA.

Emerging Infectious Diseases — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Ramamoorthy S, Woldemeskel M, Ligett A, Snider R, Cobb R, Rajeev S Abstract TO THE EDITOR: Brucellosis is a serious, globally distributed zoonotic disease. Humans are susceptible to infection by Brucella suis, B. abortus, B. melitensis, and B. canis and can have lifelong symptoms of undulating fever, enlarged lymph nodes, malaise, and arthritis (1). In 2009, the United States was officially classified free of B. abortus. All states except Texas are classified as stage III (free) for swine brucellosis caused by B. suis (2). PMID: 22172146 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases)

Retrospective Clinical and Laboratory Evaluation of Children with Brucellosis

Pediatrics International — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Childhood brucellosis can cause nonspecific complaints and particularly anemia and leukopenia as hematological abnormalities. However, it is easily treated with appropriate antibiotics. (Source: Pediatrics International)

Brucella infection with pancytopenia after pediatric liver transplantation

Transplant Infectious Disease — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

We present a case of brucellosis after pediatric liver transplantation. A 15‐year‐old boy with the diagnosis of neuro Wilson's disease underwent deceased‐donor liver transplantation. The postoperative immunosuppressive protocol consisted of steroids and tacrolimus. Two months after the operation the patient experienced fever to 40°C. The patient complained of poor appetite, headache, and diarrhea. He had had pancytopenia. Despite administration of appropriate antibiotics, antiviral and antifungal agents, fever persisted for > 1 month. Multiple blood, urine, stool, and sputum cultures were negative. Bone marrow aspirate revealed hypocellularity. Liver biopsy was performed, but rejection was not observed on biopsy specimen. Brucella serology was positive and Brucella agglutinatio...

Acute Brucellosis with Myelodysplastic Syndrome Presenting as Pancytopenia and Fever of Unknown Origin

Karger Publishers — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Med Princ Pract (DOI:10.1159/000333698) (Source: Karger Publishers)

Brucella melitensis Survival During Manufacture of Ripened Goat Cheese at Two Temperatures

Foodborne Pathogens and Disease — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:30:46 +0100

Foodborne Pathogens and Disease Dec 2011, Vol. 8, No. 12: 1257-1261. (Source: Foodborne Pathogens and Disease)

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The alkylation response protein AidB is localized at the new poles and constriction sites in Brucella abortus

BMC Microbiology - Latest articles — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Data reported here suggest that AidB is a marker of new poles and constriction sites, that could be considered as sites of preparation of new poles in the sibling cells originating from cell division. The possible role of AidB in the generation or the function of new poles needs further investigation. (Source: BMC Microbiology - Latest articles)

MLVA genotyping of Chinese human Brucella melitensis biovar 1, 2 and 3 isolates

BMC Microbiology - Latest articles — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The MLVA-16 assay can be useful to reveal the predominant genotypes and strain relatedness in endemic or non-endemic regions of brucellosis. However it is not suitable for biovar differentiation of B. melitensis. Genotype 42 is widely distributed throughout China during a long time. Bruce 16 and bruce 30 in panel 2B markers are most useful for typing Chinese isolates. (Source: BMC Microbiology - Latest articles)

Rapid immunofiltration assay based on colloidal gold–protein G conjugate as an alternative screening test for bovine and ovine brucellosis

Tropical Animal Health and Production — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 07:36:37 +0100

Abstract A non-enzymatic rapid immunofiltration assay (NERIFA) was developed as an alternative field test for rapid detection of anti-Brucella antibody in bovine and ovine sera. The assay was based on Brucella abortus lipopolysaccharide as diagnostic antigen and colloidal gold particle–protein G conjugate as detection reagent. Its diagnostic performance was evaluated using undiluted well-defined positive and negative serum samples in comparison with Rose Bengal test (RBT), complement fixation test (CFT) and a commercial and an in-house indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A perfect test agreement was found between NERIFA and ELISAs by kappa statistics. In addition, McNemar’s analysis of the results showed that the RBT for bovine sera and the CFT for ovine...

Vertebral osteomyelitis: eight years’ experience of 100 cases

Rheumatology International — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 06:53:42 +0100

Abstract To evaluate the etiology and characteristics of vertebral osteomyelitis cases in our country, patients with vertebral osteomyelitis between January 2000 and December 2007 were included in this study. Clinical and laboratory data of the patients were collected from the medical records retrospectively. Of these 100 patients, 44 had pyogenic, 24 had brucellar, and 32 had tuberculous spondylodiscitis. The age of the patients ranged from 13 to 82 years, with a mean of (SD±) 55 ± 15.6 years. Within the pyogenic group, 10 (22.7%) patients had a spinal surgery history, and in 18 patients of the pyogenic group, an etiological agent was isolated. Ten (56%) of these 18 were methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. While all of the patients included i...

Serological evidence for brucellosis in Bos indicus in Nigeria

Tropical Animal Health and Production — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 06:49:07 +0100

Conclusions The results indicate that bovine brucellosis is an important veterinarian problem in Nigeria. The easy-to-use and robust field test is most promising for field-based surveillance as it provides an immediate result allowing the prompt instigation of control measures. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ResearchPages 1-6DOI 10.1007/s11250-011-0011-2Authors Wilson J. Bertu, Bacterial Research Department, Brucellosis Research Unit, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, NigeriaAmahyel M. Gusi, Bacterial Research Department, Brucellosis Research Unit, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, NigeriaMoses Hassan, Bacterial Research Department, Brucellosis Research Unit, National Veterinary Research Institute, V...

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Musculoskeletal Brucellosis

Seminars in Musculoskeletal Radiology — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2011; 15: 470-479DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1293493ABSTRACTBrucellosis is a zoonosis of worldwide distribution caused by small gram-negative nonencapsulated coccobacilli of the genus Brucella. It is characterized by a granulomatous reaction in the reticuloendothelial system. Because it affects several organs and tissues, it may have various clinical manifestations. Musculoskeletal involvement is one of the most common locations, and the frequency of bone and joint (osteoarticular) involvement of brucellosis varies between 10% and 85%. Osteoarticular involvement includes spondylitis, sacroiliitis, osteomyelitis, peripheral arthritis, bursitis, and tenosynovitis. The most common osteoarticular finding in children is monoarticular arthritis, mostly located in the knees and...

Macrophage-elicited osteoclastogenesis in response to Brucella abortus infection requires TLR2/MyD88-dependent TNF-α production.

Journal of Leukocyte Biology — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Delpino MV, Barrionuevo P, Macedo GC, Oliveira SC, Di Genaro S, Scian R, Miraglia MC, Fossati CA, Baldi PC, Giambartolomei GH Abstract Osteoarticular complications are common in human brucellosis, but the pathogenic mechanisms involved are largely unknown. In this manuscript, we described an immune mechanism for inflammatory bone loss in response to infection by Brucella abortus. We established a requirement for MyD88 and TLR2 in TNF-α-elicited osteoclastogenesis in response to B. abortus infection. CS from macrophages infected with B. abortus induced BMM to undergo osteoclastogenesis. Although B. abortus-infected macrophages actively secreted IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, osteoclastogenesis depended on TNF-α, as CS from B. abortus-infected macrophages failed to induce osteo...

Clinical findings of vertebral osteomyelitis: Brucella spp. versus other etiologic agents

Rheumatology International — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 17:07:53 +0100

Abstract We aimed to evaluate patients with vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) in our region and to compare the clinical and laboratory parameters of brucellar and non-brucellar VO patients (NBVO). This retrospective study included 80 patients with VO followed in our hospital between August 2004 and September 2010. The distribution of gender was 43 females (53.8%) and 37 males (46.2%) with average age of 52.5. Patients with brucellar vertebral VO (BVO; n = 30) accounted for 37.5% of all patients, and the rest (n = 50) were with NBVO. Co-morbidities existed in 32.5% of patients. In statistical comparison of VO patients who had the Brucella spp. as the infectious agent with patients of VO by non-brucellar pathogens, the following factors were found out to be signi...

Generation and envelope protein analysis of internalization defective Brucella abortus mutants in professional phagocytes, RAW 264.7

FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

AbstractBrucella abortus is a facultative intracellular bacterium that replicates within a macrophage without producing any classical virulence factors. They can get internalized to cells by zipper‐like and/or swimming internalization mechanisms. However, the bacterial proteins involved in internalization remain unclear. In order to define these bacterial proteins, random insertion mutants of B. abortus were generated by the Tn5 transposome complexes. 132 mutants were screened and cellular internalization defective mutants were selected and these genomic and envelope proteomic features were identified. The transposon insertion site was ccmC, ppk and BruAb2_0168 for the mutant C10, C29 and D7, respectively. Mutant C10 showed deficiency in internalization without any changes in expression ...

Canine Brucellosis Management

Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Infertility in dogs is a growing concern in breeding kennels. There are a number of bacteria, viruses, and husbandry practices that must be considered to determine the cause of decreased litter sizes, abortions, weak puppies, and lack of pregnancy, but brucellosis should be at the top of the differential list. (Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice)

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Long-Term Survival of Salvage Cardiac Transplantation for Infective Endocarditis [CASE REPORTS]

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Cardiac transplantation has been rarely performed in patients with infective endocarditis. A 31-year-old man developed aortic endocarditis due to Brucella melitensis. He presented with fever and developed acute myocardial infarct, severe aortic regurgitation, and heart failure. Aortic valve replacement did not improve cardiac function; hence, an emergent cardiac transplantation was carried out. Eighteen years later, he is doing well and living an active and productive life. Only 6 patients have received a cardiac transplant as part of the treatment of active infective endocarditis. This patient shows how cardiac transplantation may be successfully used as salvage therapy for patients with infective endocarditis who are not candidates for valve replacement or have severe and irreversible my...

Challenges of Establishing the Correct Diagnosis of Outbreaks of Acute Febrile Illnesses in Africa: The Case of a Likely Brucella Outbreak among Nomadic Pastoralists, Northeast Kenya, March-July 2005.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Ari MD, Guracha A, Fadeel MA, Njuguna C, Njenga MK, Kalani R, Abdi H, Warfu O, Omballa V, Tetteh C, Breiman RF, Pimentel G, Feikin DR Abstract Abstract. An outbreak of acute febrile illness was reported among Somali pastoralists in remote, arid Northeast Kenya, where drinking raw milk is common. Blood specimens from 12 patients, collected mostly in the late convalescent phase, were tested for viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens. All were negative for viral and typhoid serology. Nine patients had Brucella antibodies present by at least one of the tests, four of whom had evidence suggestive of acute infection by the reference serologic microscopic agglutination test. Three patients were positive for leptospiral antibody by immunoglobulin M enzyme-linked immunosorbent a...

A Serological Diagnostic Survey for Brucella canis Infection in Turkish Patients with Brucellosis-Like Symptoms.

Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

In this study, we investigated the prevalence of B. canis infection in human sera obtained from six regions in Turkey and comparatively evaluated the results obtained by agglutination-based techniques using standardized antigens made from B. canis. The patients (n = 1,746) presented with clinical symptoms that were similar to those of brucellosis. All patients who tested negative in the Rose Bengal test for the smooth Brucella strains (abortus, melitensis, and suis) were screened for evidence of B. canis infection using the rapid slide agglutination test (RSAT), the microagglutination test (MAT), and the 2-mercaptoethanol RSAT test (2ME-RSAT). Of the samples tested, 157 (8.9%), 68 (3.8%), and 66 (3.7%) were positive for B. canis, as determined by RSAT, MAT, and 2ME-RSAT, respectively. The ...

Introduction to the Alpha-proteobacteria: Wolbachia and Bartonella, Rickettsia, Brucella, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma

Topics in Companion Animal Medicine — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Wolbachia is an obligate intracellular endosymbiont and likely mutualist living within the heartworm Dirofilaria immitis and a number of other filarial nematodes in the family Onchocercidae. The bacterial infection is passed from worm to worm transovarially; the organisms are in ovarian cells, the developing microfilariae, and multiply and persist in all later developmental stages through the mosquito and into the next host. Besides being present in the ovaries of the adult worms, they also are present in large numbers within the hypodermal tissues of the nematode. It is now know that these bacteria that were first observed in heartworms more than 30 years ago are actually related to similar Wolbachia bacteria that are found in arthropods. Wolbachia is an alpha-proteobacteria, and this gro...

Diagnosis of Paratuberculosis

Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 08:49:08 +0100

The emergence of paratuberculosis as a common and costly problem affecting multiple ruminant species led to a surge in research funding internationally, which in turn led to development and validation of multiple diagnostic tests. Today, there are available a greater diversity of accurate and affordable tests for paratuberculosis than for most other ruminant infectious diseases, including brucellosis and tuberculosis, 2 diseases that have been virtually eradicated from most developed countries. There is a suitable diagnostic test for virtually every paratuberculosis testing need. The present-day challenge for practitioners is to select the appropriate test for the intended purpose. (Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice)

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Tuberculous meningitis together with systemic brucellosis

Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 06:06:55 +0100

We present a case of a 57-year-old woman admitted with findings of meningitis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests revealed a pleocytosis together with a low CSF glucose concentration. Empirically, antituberculosis treatment was started. Rose Bengal and Wright tests were performed to exclude brucellosis with central nervous system involvement. These tests were positive in serum but not in CSF. Antibrucellosis treatment with doxycycline and ceftriaxone was started without withdrawing the antituberculosis treatment because of the possibility of simultaneous infection with both tuberculosis and brucellosis agents. Finally, this approach was shown to be correct when tuberculosis was isolated from the culture of CSF. Clinicians in endemic regions for brucellosis should be careful while diagno...

Recent publications in medical microbiology and immunology: a retrospective

Medical Microbiology and Immunology — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 05:49:41 +0100

Abstract A look back is done to some clinical and basic research activities recently published in medical microbiology and immunology. The review covers clinical experiences and in vitro experiments to understand the emergency, pathogenicity, epidemic spread, and vaccine-based prevention of avian and swine-origin flu. Some new developments and concepts in diagnosis, (molecular) epidemiology, and therapy of AIDS, viral hepatitis C, and herpesvirus-associated diseases are outlined. Regulation of immune system has been discussed in a special issue 2010 including some aspects of CNS affections (measles). Mycobacterial infection and its prevention by modern recombinant vaccines have reached new interest, as well as new concepts of vaccination and prophylaxis against several oth...

Bacteria Linked To Deaths Of Bottlenosed Dolphins

WDSU.com - Health — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 23:03:03 +0100

Scientists investigating the stranding since early last year of hundreds of dolphins in the northern Gulf of Mexico reported Thursday that they have identified Brucella bacteria in five of 21 tested and are trying to determine whether the deaths may be linked to last year's BP oil spill. (Source: WDSU.com - Health)

Epididymo‐orchitis due to Brucella melitensis: A case report in a nonendemic area and review of the literature

Surgical Practice — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:40:33 +0100

Brucella epididymo‐orchitis (BEO), first described by Hardy in 1928, is a focal genitourinary complication of human brucellosis. This disease is endemic in many parts of the world, but might present as a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to practicing physicians in nonendemic areas, such as Hong Kong. In the present study, we describe a case of BEO and present a literature review of the aetiology, diagnosis and management of this rare clinical condition. (Source: Surgical Practice)

Neurobrucellosis

Neuroimaging Clinics — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 08:56:32 +0100

Brucellosis is a multisystem infection with a broad spectrum of clinical presentations. Its nervous system involvement is known as neurobrucellosis. Neurobrucellosis (NB) has neither a typical clinical picture nor specific cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings. Its diagnosis is based on the existence of a neurologic picture not explained by any other neurologic disease, evidenced by systemic brucellar infection and the presence of inflammatory alteration in CSF. Imaging findings of NB is divided into four categories: (1) normal, (2) inflammation (recognized by granulomas, abnormal enhancement of the meninges, perivascular space, or lumbar nerve roots), (3) white matter changes, and (4) vascular changes. (Source: Neuroimaging Clinics)

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In Vitro Effect of photodynamic therapy on Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Streptococcus sanguinis.

Braz Dent J — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 07:40:03 +0100

This study evaluated in vitro the photodynamic effect of 0.01% toluidine blue-O (TBO) in combination with an AlGaInP diode laser light source on Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A.a.) and Streptococcus sanguinis (S.s.). Suspensions (2 mL) containing A.a. and S.s. at 1.5 x 108 CFU/mL concentration were prepared and divided into 3 groups: Control group (no treatment), Dye group (inoculum and TBO for 5 min) and Dye/Laser group (inoculum, TBO for 5 min and laser for 3 min). Next, a dilution for subsequent subculture in 20 mL of Trypic Soy Agar (A.a) and Brucella Agar (S.s.) in Petri dishes (Pourplate Method) was done. Incubation of A.a. in microaerophilia and S.s. in aerobiosis at 35oC for 48 h was performed for subsequent visual counting of CFU/mL. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA an...

The Visual Impairment and Inscrutable Disease of Samuel Johnson

Survey of Ophthalmology — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract: Samuel Johnson, the acclaimed author of the Dictionary of the English Language, survived childhood scrofula with impaired sight and hearing. The cause of his scrofula has been attributed to bovine tuberculosis, but mycobacterial infection does not satisfactorily account for the peculiar features of Johnson’s eye disorder or his hearing loss. The subject of numerous biographies, Johnson may have the most scrutinized medical history of all time. Medical detectives, hampered by the vagueness of 18th-century diagnosis, suspect that phlyctenular eye disease related to tuberculosis was the reason for his visual impairment. Pediatric brucellosis can also explain childhood scrofula associated with visual and auditory disabilities, but it may be difficult to reconcile any single diagnos...

Molecular typing of Brucella melitensis endemic strains and differentiation from the vaccine strain Rev-1

Veterinary Research Communications — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:59:59 +0100

Abstract In the present study forty-four Greek endemic strains of Br. melitensis and three reference strains were genotyped by Multi locus Variable Number Tandem Repeat (ML-VNTR) analysis based on an eight-base pair tandem repeat sequence that was revealed in eight loci of Br. melitensis genome. The forty-four strains were discriminated from the vaccine strain Rev-1 by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) and Denaturant Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE). The ML-VNTR analysis revealed that endemic, reference and vaccine strains are genetically closely related, while most of the loci tested (1, 2, 4, 5 and 7) are highly polymorphic with Hunter-Gaston Genetic Diversity Index (HGDI) values in the range of 0.939 to 0.775. Analysis of ML-VNTRs loci stability through i...

Clinical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches to Complications of Brucellosis: An Experience of 12 Years

Medical Principles and Practice : Last 20 articles — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Med Princ Pract (DOI:10.1159/000331588) (Source: Medical Principles and Practice : Last 20 articles)

Herd prevalence of bovine brucellosis and analysis of risk factors in cattle in urban and peri-urban areas of the Kampala economic zone, Uganda

BMC Veterinary Research - Latest articles — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Background: Human brucellosis has been found to be prevalent in the urban areas of Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. A cross-sectional study was designed to generate precise information on the prevalence of brucellosis in cattle and risk factors for the disease in its urban and peri-urban dairy farming systems. Results: The adjusted herd prevalence of brucellosis was 6.5% (11/177, 95% CI: 3.6%-10.0%) and the adjusted individual animal prevalence was 5.0% (21/423, 95% CI: 2.7% - 9.3%) based on diagnosis using commercial kits of the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CELISA) for Brucella abortus antibodies. Mean within-herd prevalence was found to be 25.9% (95% CI: 9.7% - 53.1%) and brucellosis prevalence in an infected herd ranged from 9.1% to 50%. A risk factor could not be ...

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Neonatal Brucellosis and Breast Milk

Indian Journal of Pediatrics — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 05:47:33 +0100

Abstract In this case report the authors present an extremely low birth weight premature infant with neonatal brucellosis whose mother had been treated for brucellosis during pregnancy. Infant developed mild respiratory distress syndrome soon after birth. At 2nd wk of postnatal age findings of bronchopulmonary dysplasia were evident and she and her mother were diagnosed to have brucellosis at the same time. After commencement of antibrucellosis therapy and nonspesific treatment for bronchopulmonary dysplasia, infant was completely cured of the symptoms related to both brucellosis and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The results of the present case and a review of the literature have let to conclude that Brucella might have role in development of prematurity and bronchoplumonary...

Association of interleukin‐15 single nucleotide polymorphisms with resistance to brucellosis among Iranian patients

Tissue Antigens — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 22:47:09 +0100

In conclusion, it could be suggested that IL‐15 genetic variants can affect resistance or susceptibility to human brucellosis among Iranian patients. (Source: Tissue Antigens)

Development of a diagnostic multiplex polymerase chain reaction microarray assay to detect and differentiate Brucella spp.

Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract: Brucellosis is a worldwide zoonosis leading to tremendous economic losses and severe human illness. Fast and reliable laboratory tests are needed to detect disease in both humans and animals and to monitor the production of safe food products and feed. For rapid identification of the genus Brucella and differentiation of its species, a multiplex polymerase chain reaction microarray assay based on 11 signature sequences and redundant oligonucleotide probes was developed. The gene targets included genus-specific sequences in bcsp31, perA, cgs, and omp2b, as well as chromosomal regions displaying species-specific hybridization patterns. Brucella reference strains and a representative panel of 102 field isolates were unambiguously identified by their hybridization patterns. The diffe...

A case of systemic brucellosis with spondylodiscitis mimicking postoperative spondylodiscitis after lumbar disc surgery

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Introduction Postoperative spondylodiscitis is a well-known complication of lumbar disc surgery, affecting between 0.1 and 1.7% of patients.1 It is usually due to contamination by skin flora. Usual pathogens are Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. In industrialised countries, brucellosis is a rare condition, almost exclusively found in cattle-exposed patients such as farmers, shepherds and veterinarians. Brucella osteomyelitis is rarer still, although it mostly affects the spine. History and presentation A 43-year-old man had undergone dorsolateral transmuscular sequestrectomy and nucleotomy including Nebacetin-irrigation L3/4 for an extraforaminal left-sided herniated lumbar disc (figure 1A). The early postoperative course was uneventful. Two months later, he appeared wi...

Comparison of Abortion and Infection after Experimental Challenge of Pregnant Bison and Cattle with Brucella abortus strain 2308.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Olsen SC, Johnson C Abstract A comparative study was conducted using data from naive bison (n=45) and cattle (n=46) from 8 and 6 studies, respectively, in which a standardized Brucella abortus strain 2308 experimental challenge was administered during midgestation. The incidence of abortion, fetal infection, uterine or mammary infection, or infection in maternal tissues after experimental challenge was greater (P<0.05) in bison as compared to cattle. In animals that did abort, the time between experimental challenge and abortion was shorter (P<0.05) for bison when compared to cattle. Brucella colonization of four target tissues, and serologic responses on the standard tube agglutination test at the time of abortion, did not differ (P>0.05) between cattle and bison...

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Use of rifampicin in pregnancy

NeLM - Drugs in Pregnancy — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Source: UK Teratology Information Service Area: Evidence > Drugs in Pregnancy SUMMARY: Rifampicin is an antibacterial drug used in the treatment of tuberculosis, leprosy, brucellosis, Legionnaire's disease and serious staphylococcal infections. Rifampicin is also used as prophylaxis against meningococcal meningitis. Animal studies have demonstrated teratogenicity after exposure to rifampicin during pregnancy. There is currently very little published data available concerning fetal risks following human exposure to rifampicin during the first trimester of pregnancy, but those few published so far do not indicate an increase in risk of congenital malformations. There have been reports of low birth weight in exposed infants, however this is likely due to the unde...

Spatial epidemiology of hospital-diagnosed brucellosis in Kampala, Uganda

International Journal of Health Geographics — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Being female was observed to be a risk factor for brucellosis sero-positvity and among urban dwellers, living in slum areas was also a risk factor although the overall risk was not different among urban, peri-urban and rural areas of the Kampala economic zone. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics)

Evaluation of the Recombinant 10-Kilodalton Immunodominant Region of the BP26 Protein of Brucella abortus for Specific Diagnosis of Bovine Brucellosis.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Tiwari AK, Kumar S, Pal V, Bhardwaj B, Rai GP Abstract Brucellosis is a disease with worldwide distribution affecting animals and human beings. Brucella abortus is the causative agent of bovine brucellosis. The cross-reactions of currently available diagnostic procedures for B. abortus infection result in false-positive reactions, which make the procedures unreliable. These tests are also unable to differentiate Brucella-infected and -vaccinated animals. The present work is focused on the use of a nonlipopolysaccharide (LPS) diagnostic antigen, a recombinant 10-kDa (r10-kDa) protein of B. abortus, for specific diagnosis of brucellosis. The purified recombinant protein was used as a diagnostic antigen in plate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (p-ELISA) format to screen 408...

Lymphocyte activation test for diagnosis of seronegative Brucellosis in humans.

Indian Journal of Pathology and Microbiology — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: It is inferred that there was a remarkable upregulation of activation markers on CD4+ and CD8+ in seronegative patients with Brucellosis. It is recommended that the method can be utilized as a novel diagnostic test for detection of brucellosis where serology is negative. PMID: 22234109 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Indian Journal of Pathology and Microbiology)

Interactions of the Human Pathogenic Brucella Species with Their Hosts.

Annual Review of Microbiology — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 10:10:24 +0100

Authors: Atluri VL, Xavier MN, de Jong MF, den Hartigh AB, Tsolis RE Abstract Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection caused primarily by the bacterial pathogens Brucella melitensis and B. abortus. It is acquired by consumption of unpasteurized dairy products or by contact with infected animals. Globally, it is one of the most widespread zoonoses, with 500,000 new cases reported each year. In endemic areas, Brucella infections represent a serious public health problem that results in significant morbidity and economic losses. An important feature of the disease is persistent bacterial colonization of the reticuloendothelial system. In this review we discuss recent insights into mechanisms of intracellular survival and immune evasion that contribute to systemic persistence by the pathog...

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Brucellosis Relapse Causing Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis and Aortic Root Infective Pseudoaneurysm [CASE REPORTS]

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

We report a previously treated case of brucellosis and aortic root replacement, which became complicated by prosthetic valve endocarditis and a massive aortic root pseudoaneurysm. Preoperative blood and intraoperative pseudoaneurysm wall cultures were positive for Brucella, and the patient was managed successfully with a combination of surgical and medical treatment. Brucella endocarditis is further discussed. (Source: The Annals of Thoracic Surgery)

Brucellosis among smallholder cattle farmers in Zambia

Tropical Animal Health and Production — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 05:32:50 +0100

Abstract A cross-sectional study was performed in Southern and Lusaka provinces of Zambia between March and September 2008 to estimate Brucella seroprevalence in cattle kept by smallholder dairy farmers (n = 185). Rose Bengal test (RBT) was used as a screening test followed by confirmation with competitive ELISA (c-ELISA). We investigated 1,323 cattle, of which 383 had a history of receiving vaccination against brucellosis and 36 had a history of abortion. Overall seroprevalence was 6.0% with areas where vaccination was practiced having low seroprevalence. Age was associated with Brucella seropositivity (P = 0.03) unlike cattle breed (P = 0.21) and sex (P = 0.32). At area level, there was a negative correlation (Corr. coeff = −0.74) between percentage of...

Endemic disease control and regulation in Australia 1901–2010

Australian Veterinary Journal — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:32:04 +0100

At Federation in 1901, Australia retained separate State veterinary services responsible for the control of endemic animal diseases. By 2010 the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments and the livestock industries had coordinated a structure with supporting activities and shared finances that provides Australia's veterinary services and its livestock industries with preparedness and control programs for nominated exotic and endemic animal diseases. Animal Health Australia operates as the coordinating body for these programs. Since 1901, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, bovine brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis have been eradicated, providing considerable industry benefits. While the entry of exotic diseases has been restricted, tick fevers, tick infestation, bluetongue infection, ...

Limitations of the Standard Agglutination Test for Detecting Patients with Brucella melitensis Bacteremia

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 18:44:16 +0100

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases)

A multicenter retrospective study of childhood brucellosis in Chicago, Illinois from 1986 to 2008

International Journal of Infectious Diseases — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Brucella is an infrequent pathogen but should be considered in children with compatible epidemiologic and clinical characteristics. Blood cultures should be obtained, and initial therapy with two or more drugs may decrease the risk of relapse. (Source: International Journal of Infectious Diseases)

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Leptospirosis as the most frequent infectious disease impairing productivity in small ruminants in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Tropical Animal Health and Production — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:49:29 +0100

The objective of the present study was to determine the role of each of these diseases in the productivity of small ruminants breeding in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In goats, 343 samples were tested for leptospirosis, 560 for Brucella abortus, and 506 for caprine arthritis-encephalitis (CAE), whereas in sheep, 308 samples were tested for leptospirosis, 319 for B. abortus, 374 for Brucella ovis, and 278 for Maedi-Visna (MV). Regarding leptospirosis, 25.9% of goats and 47.4% sheep were seroreactive, with serovar Hardjo the most prevalent in both species. Anti-B. abortus agglutinins were found in 0.7% of all samples, exclusively in goats. In relation to SRLVs, 8.6% of goats and 3.2% of sheep samples were positive for CAE and MV, respectively. Leptospirosis was the major infectious problem in ...

Thrombus-in-transit entrapped in a patent foramen ovale: a complication of brucellosis.

Turk Kardiyoloji Dernegi arsivi — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Sen T, Cağlı K, Gölbaşı Z, Cağlı K Abstract Brucella infection may cause vascular complications such as deep venous thromboembolism. This is the first report on an entrapped thrombus in a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in a patient with Brucella infection. A 43-year-old woman was admitted with complaints of fever, dyspnea, malaise, myalgia, and pretibial edema. Clinical and laboratory findings were consistent with brucellosis. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated a mobile, hyperechoic worm-like thrombus entrapped in a PFO. Right ventricular enlargement and elevated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (77 mmHg) showed acute pulmonary embolism. Multidetector computed tomography revealed a huge thrombus, 11.7 cm in length, in the bifurcation of the main pulmonary art...

Risk-based Estimate of Effect of Foodborne Diseases on Public Health, Greece.

Emerging Infectious Diseases — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Gkogka E, Reij MW, Havelaar AH, Zwietering MH, Gorris LG Abstract The public health effects of illness caused by foodborne pathogens in Greece during 1996-2006 was quantified by using publicly available surveillance data, hospital statistics, and literature. Results were expressed as the incidence of different disease outcomes and as disability-adjusted life years (DALY), a health indicator combining illness and death estimates into a single metric. It has been estimated that each year ≈370,000 illnesses/million inhabitants are likely caused because of eating contaminated food; 900 of these illnesses are severe and 3 fatal, corresponding to 896 DALY/million inhabitants. Ill-defined intestinal infections accounted for the greatest part of reported cases and 27% of the DAL...

Treatment protocol and relapses of brucella endocarditis; cotrimoxazole in combination with the treatment of brucella endocarditis.

Tropical Doctor — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

In this study, our aim was to evaluate the effects of combined medical and surgical treatments on survival and relapse rates in the periods of mid to late terms. We investigated 13 patients who were treated between January 1993 and June 2009. Our clinical observations led us to use a combination of rifampicin (900 mg twice a day), streptomycin (12 to 16 mg/kg/24 h intramuscularly) and doxycycline (200 mg/kg twice a day); rifampicin, tetracycline (8 mg/kg three times a day) and cotrimoxazole (15 mg/kg twice a day) or rifampicin, doxycycline and cotrimoxazole regimen for treating BE before the operation. This treatment should be continued for at least six months after surgery in order to prevent relapses. PMID: 21878439 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Tropical Doctor)

Infliximab: Brucellosis: case report

Reactions — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:09:06 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

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Outcomes of 19 pregnant women with brucellosis in Babol, northern Iran

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 04:52:44 +0100

Abstract: From April 2000 to March 2010, 19 pregnant women with brucellosis were evaluated, treated and followed up. Ten (53%) pregnant women had spontaneous abortions. Six of eleven (55%) women infected in the first trimester had a spontaneous abortion. After treatment, all subsequently became pregnant and gave birth to normal babies. Among 13 patients who received cotrimoxazole plus rifampin, only four (31%) aborted and nine mothers had normal term deliveries. Two patients with recurrent abortions had brucellosis and became pregnant and gave birth after treatment. The brucellosis screening program for pregnant women and those with spontaneous abortion is necessary in brucellosis endemic regions. (Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene)

Ontology-based Brucella vaccine literature indexing and systematic analysis of gene-vaccine association network

BMC Immunology — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: VO-SciMiner can be used to improve the efficiency for PubMed searching in the vaccine domain. (Source: BMC Immunology)

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction improves conventional microbiological diagnosis in an outbreak of brucellosis due to ingestion of unpasteurized goat cheese

Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract: Rapid diagnosis of individuals involved in brucellosis outbreaks can sometimes be difficult with conventional microbiological techniques. We analyzed, for the first time, the diagnostic yield of a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay in a family outbreak of brucellosis due to consumption of unpasteurized goat cheese. PCR correctly identified all symptomatic cases. (Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease)

The First Detection of Brucella canis in Cattle in the Republic of Korea

Zoonoses and Public Health — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

SummaryTwenty mammary lymph node samples were collected from cattle on a farm in the Republic of Korea. These cattle were serologically negative for Brucella by tube agglutination test (≤1 : 50) and serum agglutination test (≤1 : 50). Out of 20 lymph node samples, two samples were positive for Brucella growth on Brucella agar as well as blood agar. Tests for urease, hydrogen sulphide and reactions against monospecific sera A and M indicated that these two isolates (No. 15 and 16) belong to the genus Brucella. Genus specific, AMOS (abortus, melitensis, ovis, suis) and Bruce‐ladder multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays confirmed the Brucella isolates as either a B. abortus or a B. canis strain. This is the first report of the occurrence of a B. canis infection in cat...

Brucella adaptation and survival at the crossroad of metabolism and virulence

FEBS Letters — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Highlights: ► The nature of the metabolic network is a fundamental aspect of pathogenic lifestyles. ► Brucella spp. are the intracellular pathogens responsible for chronic infections of mammals. ► Here we review new insights on the links between Brucella virulence and metabolism. ► Understanding of Brucella metabolic abilities will help to decipher its infectious strategies.Abstract: “In vivo” bacterial nutrition, i.e. the nature of the metabolic network and substrate(s) used by bacteria within their host, is a fundamental aspect of pathogenic or symbiotic lifestyles. A typical example are the Brucella spp., facultative intracellular pathogens responsible for chronic infections of animals and humans. Their virulence relies on their ability to modulate immune response and the ph...

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Comparative proteome analysis of Brucella abortus 2308 and its virB type IV secretion system mutant reveals new T4SS-related candidate proteins.

Journal of Proteomics — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Paredes-Cervantes V, Flores-Mejía R, Moreno-Lafont MC, Lanz-Mendoza H, Tello-López AT, Castillo-Vera J, Pando-Robles V, Hurtado-Sil G, González-González E, Rodríguez-Cortés O, Gutiérrez-Hoya A, Vega-Ramírez MT, López-Santiago R Abstract Brucella abortus is an alpha-2 proteobacteria with a type IV secretion system (T4SS) known as virB, which is necessary to gain virulence by building up a replicative vacuole associated with the endoplasmic reticulum of the host cell. A virB T4SS mutant of the B. abortus 2308 strain and its wild-type strain were grown in acid medium in order to obtain and analyze their proteomes, looking for putative proteins that may serve as T4SS substrates and those that may be subjected to T4SS regulation. A total of 47 overexpressed and 22 unde...

Evaluation of recombinant 10 kDa immunodominant region of BP26 protein of Brucella abortus for specific diagnosis of bovine brucellosis.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Tiwari AK, Kumar S, Pal V, Bhardwaj B, Rai GP Abstract Brucellosis is a disease of worldwide distribution affecting animals and human beings. Brucella abortus is the causative agent of bovine brucellosis. The cross reactions of currently available diagnostic procedures for Brucella abortus infection results in false positive reactions which make them unreliable. These tests are also unable to differentiate Brucella infected and vaccinated animals. The present work is focused on the use of a non-LPS diagnostic antigen, a recombinant 10 kDa (r10 kDa) protein of Brucella abortus, for specific diagnosis of brucellosis. The purified recombinant protein was used as diagnostic antigen in plate-ELISA (p-ELISA) format to screen 408 bovine serum samples (70 presumptively negative, 3...

BrabA.11339.a: anomalous diffraction and ligand binding guide towards the elucidation of the function of a `putative β-lactamase-like protein' from Brucella melitensis

Acta Crystallographica Section F — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

The crystal structure of a β-lactamase-like protein from Brucella melitensis was initially solved by SAD phasing from an in-house data set collected on a crystal soaked with iodide. A high-resolution data set was collected at a synchroton at the Se edge wavelength, which also provided an independent source of phasing using a small anomalous signal from metal ions in the active site. Comparisons of anomalous peak heights at various wavelengths allowed the identification of the active-site metal ions as manganese. In the native data set a partially occupied GMP could be identified. When co-crystallized with AMPPNP or GMPPNP, clear density for the hydrolyzed analogs was observed, providing hints to the function of the protein. (Source: Acta Crystallographica Section F)

Solution structure of an arsenate reductase-related protein, YffB, from Brucella melitensis, the etiological agent responsible for brucellosis

Acta Crystallographica Section F — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Brucella melitensis is the etiological agent responsible for brucellosis. Present in the B. melitensis genome is a 116-residue protein related to arsenate reductases (Bm-YffB; BR0369). Arsenate reductases (ArsC) convert arsenate ion (H2AsO4−), a compound that is toxic to bacteria, to arsenite ion (AsO2−), a product that may be efficiently exported out of the cell. Consequently, Bm-YffB is a potential drug target because if arsenate reduction is the protein's major biological function then disabling the cell's ability to reduce arsenate would make these cells more sensitive to the deleterious effects of arsenate. Size-exclusion chromatography and NMR spectroscopy indicate that Bm-YffB is a monomer in solution. The solution structure of Bm-YffB (PDB entry 2kok) shows that the protein con...

Comparative analysis of glutaredoxin domains from bacterial opportunistic pathogens

Acta Crystallographica Section F — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Glutaredoxin proteins (GLXRs) are essential components of the glutathione system that reductively detoxify substances such as arsenic and peroxides and are important in the synthesis of DNA via ribonucleotide reductases. NMR solution structures of glutaredoxin domains from two Gram-negative opportunistic pathogens, Brucella melitensis and Bartonella henselae, are presented. These domains lack the N-terminal helix that is frequently present in eukaryotic GLXRs. The conserved active-site cysteines adopt canonical proline/tyrosine-stabilized geometries. A difference in the angle of α-helix 2 relative to the β-sheet surface and the presence of an extended loop in the human sequence suggests potential regulatory regions and/or protein–protein interaction motifs. This observation is consiste...

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Unilateral ischemic optic neuropathy by tacrolimus after liver transplantation

Acta Ophthalmologica — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 09:29:37 +0100

Conclusion Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressive agent useful in hepatic transplantation which may be associated with ischemic optic atrophy. (Source: Acta Ophthalmologica)

Structure of fructose bisphosphate aldolase from Bartonella henselae bound to fructose 1,6-bisphosphate

Acta Crystallographica Section F — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Fructose bisphosphate aldolase (FBPA) enzymes have been found in a broad range of eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. FBPA catalyses the cleavage of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate into glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate. The SSGCID has reported several FBPA structures from pathogenic sources, including the bacterium Brucella melitensis and the protozoan Babesia bovis. Bioinformatic analysis of the Bartonella henselae genome revealed an FBPA homolog. The B. henselae FBPA enzyme was recombinantly expressed and purified for X-ray crystallographic studies. The purified enzyme crystallized in the apo form but failed to diffract; however, well diffracting crystals could be obtained by cocrystallization in the presence of the native substrate fructose 1,6-bisphosphate. A data...

Granulomatous myositis associated with brucellosis; a case report and literature review

Muscle and Nerve — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

We report a 16 year‐old boy with sub‐acute, fluctuating, progressive muscle pain, tenderness, swelling and diffuse, asymmetric weakness who had significantly elevated serum Brucella titers and whose muscle biopsy showed inflammatory granulomatous myositis. We review the literature on myositis associated with Brucellosis. (Source: Muscle and Nerve)

An unusual complication of a common endemic disease: Clinical & laboratory aspects of patients with brucella epididymoorchitis in north of Iran

BMC Research Notes — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

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Epididymo‐orchitis due to Brucella melitensis : A case report in a non‐endemic area and review of the literature

Surgical Practice — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

AbstractBrucella epidídymo‐orchitis, first described by Hardy in 1928, is a focal genitourinary complication of human brucellosis.1 This disease is endemic in many parts of the world but may present as diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to practicing physicians in non‐endemic areas such as Hong Kong. Herein we describe a case of Brucella epidídymo‐orchitis and present a literature review of the etiology, diagnosis and management of this rare clinical condition. (Source: Surgical Practice)

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Comparison of four commercial IgM and IgG ELISA kits for diagnosing brucellosis.

Journal of Medical Microbiology — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

This study compares ability of four commercially available ELISA kits (Bioquant, IBL, Vircell, and Euroimmun) to diagnose brucellosis in patients from Egypt and the United States. The sensitivities for all kits tested, except Vircell, were greater than 90% while specificities were variable with the Bioquant assay having a specificity of less than 40%. Detection of IgG antibody was more sensitive than IgM antibody for diagnosing brucellosis cases but specificity was comparable. Overall, there was good agreement between all of the kits except Bioquant. No diagnostic assay is 100% reliable for diagnosing brucellosis; serology results need to be considered in tandem with patient history, clinical signs, and other test results. PMID: 21835974 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Jou...

Epidemiological survey of rifampicin resistance in clinic isolates of Brucella melitensis obtained from all regions of Turkey

Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 05:45:14 +0100

Abstract The aim of the present study was to assess the antimicrobial susceptibility of Brucella melitensis isolates to rifampicin (RIF) depending on time and regional differences. A total of 94 human Brucella isolates collected in an 8-year period from the beginning of 2002 to the end of 2009 throughout Turkey were investigated. The isolates were identified at species and biovar levels by conventional methods, and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of RIF was determined by using the E test method. All isolates were identified as B. melitensis (93 isolates, biovar 3; 1, biovar 1), and MIC50 and MIC90 values of RIF were 1 and 1.5 μg/ml, respectively (MIC range, 0.25–1.5 μg/ml). All isolates were sensitive to RIF except 2 isolates, which had intermediate susc...

Identification of new IS711 insertion sites in Brucella abortus field isolates

BMC Microbiology - Latest articles — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

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The curious affair of the identity of Fioravanti Sammut (b. 1863) and Temistocle Zammit (d. 1935)

Journal of Medical Biography — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Dr Zammit's experiments showed that brucellosis was transmitted by the milk of goats that did not show signs of infection or ill health. The British forces in Malta banned the use of goats' milk and brucellosis was eliminated in those forces. This research was published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society and earned him an Honorary DLitt from Oxford University and the Kingsley Medal of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. The King knighted him. He was the great Maltese polymath but there is a mystery concerning his name. (Source: Journal of Medical Biography)

Unusual clinical presentations of brucellosis in childhood.

Braz J Infect Dis — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Ulug M, Yapici F, Can-Ulug N PMID: 21861019 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Braz J Infect Dis)

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A single amino acid change in the transmembrane domain of the VirB8 protein affects dimerization, interaction with VirB10 and Brucella suis virulence

FEBS Letters — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 00:29:13 +0100

We report that a point mutation in this TM domain stabilizes homodimers of VirB8 and heterodimers with VirB10. A similar variant of Agrobacterium tumefaciens VirB8 showed the same phenotype. The B. suis VirB8 variant was unable to complement a virB8 mutant and displayed a dominant negative phenotype when expressed in wild type B. suis. We suggest that interaction of VirB8 with VirB10 could play a major role in the correct function of the B. suis VirB T4SS.Structured summary of protein interactions: AtVirB8 physically interacts with AtVirB10 by two hybrid (View interaction)TraJ physically interacts with TraJ by two hybrid (View Interaction 1, 2)AtVirB8 physically interacts with AtVirB8 by two hybrid (View interaction)VirB10 physically interacts with VirB10 by two hybrid (View interaction)Vi...

A single-tube test based on nucleotide polymorphisms for robust molecular identification of all currently described Brucella species.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

We present herewith a Ligase Chain Reaction- (LCR-) based method assessing simultaneously multiple genetic markers at single nucleotide level. Most of the selected markers originate from a Multiple Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) database that has been extensively validated on hundreds of different Brucella strains. When assayed on both reference and field strains, the method yields characteristic capillary electrophoresis profiles for each of the 10 Brucella species described to date and displays discriminatory potential below the species level for some. Since the LCR methodology is insensitive to interferences resulting from the use of multiple oligonucleotides in a single mixture, the way is open for smooth future updates of the proposed system. Such updates are inevitable, given the impen...

Disease detected in wood bison outside Wood Buffalo National Park

Alberta.ca from- Health and Wellness — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 19:30:00 +0100

For years it has been suspected that brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis, introduced diseases that are common in wood bison in Wood Buffalo National Park, also occur in bison immediately west of the park. Evidence of brucellosis exposure has now been detected in two bison about 20 km west of Wood Buffalo National Park. Hunters, ranchers, Métis Settlements and First Nations in the area will continue to be informed on risks of disease and future bison management. (Source: Alberta.ca from- Health and Wellness)

Brucellosis presenting as septal panniculitis with vasculitis

International Journal of Dermatology — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

AbstractHuman brucellosis is a systemic zoonotic disease caused by intracellular bacteria of the genus Brucella. It is common worldwide and is endemic in countries of the Arabian gulf, the Indian subcontinent, the Mediterranean basin, and parts of South America. The reported prevalence of cutaneous manifestations ranges from 5 to 17%. Here, we report an 83‐year‐old male with septal panniculitis and vasculitis as the initial manifestation of brucellosis. (Source: International Journal of Dermatology)

Seroprevalence of Seven Zoonotic Infections in Nunavik, Quebec (Canada)

Zoonoses and Public Health — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 17:28:33 +0100

SummaryIn Nunavik, common practices and food habits such as consumption of raw meat and untreated water place the Inuit at risk for contracting zoonotic diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of seven zoonotic infections among the permanent residents of Nunavik. The study was conducted in the fall 2004 as part of the Nunavik Health Survey. Blood samples from adults aged 18–74 years (n = 917) were collected and analysed for the presence of antibodies against Trichinella spp., Toxocara canis, Echinococcus granulosus, Brucella spp., Coxiella burnetii, Leptospira spp. and Francisella tularensis. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, traditional activities, drinking water supply and nutrition was gathered using english/inuktitut bilingual question...

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Comparison and correlation of Simple Sequence Repeats distribution in genomes of Brucella species.

Bioinformation — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 03:13:31 +0100

Authors: Kiran JA, Chakravarthi VP, Kumar YN, Rekha SS, Kruti SS, Bhaskar M Computational genomics is one of the important tools to understand the distribution of closely related genomes including simple sequence repeats (SSRs) in an organism, which gives valuable information regarding genetic variations. The central objective of the present study was to screen the SSRs distributed in coding and non-coding regions among different human Brucella species which are involved in a range of pathological disorders. Computational analysis of the SSRs in the Brucella indicates few deviations from expected random models. Statistical analysis also reveals that tri-nucleotide SSRs are overrepresented and tetranucleotide SSRs underrepresented in Brucella genomes. From the data, it can be suggested ...

Effect of Brucella Infection on Reproduction Conditions of Female Breeding Cattle and Its Public Health Significance in Western Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 17:05:35 +0100

The most common clinical manifestations of brucellosis in livestock are associated with reproduction. This paper reports the result of a cross-sectional study conducted between October, 2007 and April, 2008 in Western Tigray, North Ethiopia, with the objectives of assessing the effect of Brucella infection on reproduction conditions of female breeding bovine and to explore the presence of Brucella seroreactors in vulnerable humans. A total of 1,354 and 246 sera were collected from female cattle and humans, respectively. The sera were screened using Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), and positive samples were confirmed by complement fixation test (CFT). Reproductive conditions for female cattle and risk to human brucellosis seropositivity were tested by using logistic regression analysis. The r...

Specific identification of pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica by monoclonal antibodies generated against recombinant attachment invasion locus (rAil) protein

World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 06:07:14 +0100

Abstract Classical pathogenic strains of Yersinia enterocolitica produce a 17 kDa outer membrane protein, Ail (attachment-invasion locus), which mediates bacterial attachment to some cultures epithelial cell lines and invasion of others. In the present study, hybridomas were developed for the production of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against Ail protein of Y. enterocolitica. A set of five stabilized hybridoma cell lines were generated, of which, two MAbs, YEA 302 and YEA 303, exhibited specific reaction to the native Ail protein (17 kDa) present in whole cell lysate of Y. enterocolitica strains beside having reaction with rAil. The other three MAbs, YEA 5, 17 and 32, had some cross reactions with proteins other than Ail. Two out of five MAbs were IgG1, two were Ig...

Europe's neglected infections of poverty

International Journal of Infectious Diseases — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Among the policy recommendations are increased efforts to determine the prevalence, incidence, and geographic distribution of Europe's neglected infections, epidemiological studies to understand the ecology and mechanisms of disease transmission, and research and development for new control tools. (Source: International Journal of Infectious Diseases)

Hypothermia with Pneumonia: A Rare Presentation of Brucellosis

Medical Principles and Practice : Last 20 articles — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Med Princ Pract 2011;20:485–487 (DOI:10.1159/000328421) (Source: Medical Principles and Practice : Last 20 articles)

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The genome sequence of Brucella pinnipedialis B2/94 sheds light on the evolutionary history of the genus Brucella

BMC Evolutionary Biology - Latest articles — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: In this study, it appears that the closest relatives of marine mammal Brucella sp. are B. ovis and Brucella sp. NVSL 07-0026 isolated from a baboon, followed by B. melitensis and B. abortus strains, and finally the group consisting of B. suis strains, including B. canis and the group consisting of the single B. neotomae species. We were not able, however, to resolve the order of divergence of the two latter groups. (Source: BMC Evolutionary Biology - Latest articles)

Recurrent symptomatic hypocalcemia during rifampicin therapy for brucellosis.

Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

We reported a case of vertebral brucellosis, which developed two hypocalcemic episodes associated with hypokalemic alkalosis with two drug combinations including rifampicin. Possible underlying mechanisms of hypocalcemia were discussed. The patient had carpopedal spasm at both hypocalcemic presentations. Laboratory analysis revealed hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, alkalosis with hypercalciuria, and low-normal parathormone (PTH) at first and elevated PTH at the second admission. The patient improved with cessation of drugs and appropriate management of hypocalcemia and hypokalemia with calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, and potassium replacement. The underlying mechanism of hypocalcemia in this patient seemed to be due to tubular damage resulting with Bartter-like syndrome, which is well defined wit...

Isolation rates of Brucella melitensis in an endemic area and implications for laboratory safety

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 07:00:50 +0100

Abstract A retrospective study was conducted to assess the potential threat posed by processing blood cultures to clinical microbiology laboratory personnel working in an area endemic for Brucella melitensis in southern Israel. The computerized laboratory records for the 2002–2009 period were reviewed, and the proportion of aerobic vials from which Brucella organisms were isolated out of the total number of positive aerobic blood culture vials was determined. During the 8-year period, B. melitensis was isolated in 514 of 20,620 (2.5%) positive vials. Isolation rate increased at the end of the period reaching a peak of 5.3% in 2008. Between April 2008 and September 2009, the proportion of aerobic blood cultures from which B. melitensis was isolated was even higher than that...

Clinical and laboratory features, complications and treatment outcome of brucellosis in childhood and review of the literature.

The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 04:00:00 +0100

This study focuses on the frequency of clinical and laboratory findings and complications in cases with brucellosis. Of 22 patients, 8 (36.3%) were female and 14 (63.7%) were male. Fever, malaise, lack of appetite, arthralgia, and night sweating were the main presenting symptoms overall. Hematologic complications (n=13, 59.1%) were most common, followed by skeletal (n=7, 31.8%) and cutaneous system (n=1, 4.5%). Brucellosis may affect any organ system and imitate a variety of clinical entities. Diagnosis of brucellosis should be considered whenever there is a febrile illness associated with rheumatological complaints. Consequently, early recognition of the infection, prolonged antibiotic treatment and careful long-term follow-up should improve the patient outcome. PMID: 21980844 [PubMed...

Comparative analysis of tuberculous and brucellar spondylodiscitis.

Tropical Doctor — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Celik AK, Aypak A, Aypak C Our aim was to compare the clinical, radiological and prognostic features of spontaneous spondylodiscitis secondary to tuberculosis (TS) and brucellosis (BS). This prospective study involved 41 patients diagnosed with spondylodiscitis. Of these, 18 (43.1%) had BS and 23 (56.1%) had TS. The mean age of TS patients was 52 ± 13.43 years and older than BS patients (P < 0.001). A prolonged clinical course of the disease, constitutional symptoms, lymphocytosis, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), presence of posterior vertebrae lesions and psoas abscesses were significantly more frequent in the TS group. There are significant clinical, biological and radiological differences between TS and BS. These differences permit a presumptive aetiolog...

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Cutaneous manifestations in Brucellosis

Indian Journal of Dermatology — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Zeynep Karaali, Birol Baysal, Sule Poturoglu, Mehmet KendirIndian Journal of Dermatology 2011 56(3):339-340Brucellosis is a common worldwide zoonotic disease. Cutaneous manifestations are not specific and affect 1-14% of patients with brucellosis. Here, we describe 49-year-old female with fever and a diffuse maculopapular rash due to Brucella melitensis infection. Histopathology of skin biopsy revealed leukocytoclastic vasculitis; positive blood cultures for B. melitensis established the diagnosis of brucellosis. We provide a review of the relevant literature. (Source: Indian Journal of Dermatology)

Contemporary unconventional clinical use of co‐trimoxazole

Clinical Microbiology and Infection — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

AbstractIn the late 1960′s, the combination of trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole (TMP‐SMX, co‐trimoxazole) was introduced into clinical practice and used to treat many infectious diseases such as urinary tract, respiratory infections, sexually transmitted diseases, gram negative sepsis, enteric infections and typhoid fever. Subsequently, co‐trimoxazole was reported to be effective against numerous bacterial, fungal, and protozoal pathogens, including Nocardia sp, Listeria monocytogenes, Brucella sp, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Burkholderia sp, Coxiella burnetii, Tropheryma whipplei, atypical mycobacteria, and Pneumocystis jirovecii. Among protozoal infections, in addition to toxoplasmosis, co‐trimoxazole has been used to treat susceptible Plasmodium falciparum infections, cyclosp...

In search of Brucella abortus type IV secretion substrates: screening and identification of four proteins translocated into host cells through VirB system

Cellular Microbiology — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

SummaryType IV secretion systems (T4SS) are specialized protein complexes used by many bacterial pathogens for the delivery of effector molecules that subvert varied host cellular processes. Brucella spp. are facultative intracellular pathogens capable of survival and replication inside mammalian cells. Brucella T4SS (VirB) is essential to subvert lysosome fusion and to create an organelle permissive for replication. One possible role for VirB is to translocate effector proteins that modulate host cellular functions for the biogenesis of the replicative organelle. We hypothesized that proteins with eukaryotic domains or protein–protein interaction domains, among others, would be good candidates for modulation of host cell functions. To identify these candidates, we performed an in silico...

Modulation of microtubule dynamics by a TIR domain protein from the intracellular pathogen, Brucella melitensis

BJ Cell — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

TIR domain containing proteins play a crucial role in innate immunity in eukaryotes. Brucella is a highly infectious intracellular bacterium that encodes a TIR domain protein (TcpB) to subvert host innate immune responses to establish a beneficial niche for pathogenesis. TcpB inhibits NF-κB activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretions mediated by Toll like receptor (TLR) 2 & 4. Here, we demonstrate that TcpB modulates microtubule dynamics by acting as a stabilization factor. TcpB increased the rate of nucleation as well as the polymerization phases of microtubule formation similar to paclitaxel. TcpB could efficiently inhibit nocodazole or cold induced microtubule disassembly. Microtubule stabilization by TcpB is attributed to the BB-loop region of the TIR domain and a point ...

A species independent universal bio-detection microarray for pathogen forensics and phylogenetic classification of unknown microorganisms

BMC Microbiology - Latest articles — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This pathogen detection system is fast, accurate and can be applied to any species. Hybridization patterns are unique to a specific genome and these can be used to decipher the identity of a mixed pathogen sample and can separate hosts and pathogens into their respective phylogenomic relationships. This technology can also differentiate between different species and classify genomes into their known clades. The development of this technology will result in the creation of an integrated biomarker-specific bio-signature, multiple select agent specific detection system. (Source: BMC Microbiology - Latest articles)

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Infection of cattle in Kenya with Brucella abortus biovar 3 and Brucella melitensis biovar 1 genotypes

Tropical Animal Health and Production — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 06:25:00 +0100

Abstract Brucella melitensis biovar 1 was isolated from bovine milk samples from a herd in central Kenya, and Brucella abortus biovar 3 was isolated from aborted fetus materials and vaginal discharge fluids from cattle in central and eastern provinces of Kenya. All infections including those with B. melitensis were in cattle with reproductive problems kept in mixed herds indicating that cross infection occurs from small ruminants. Multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis genotyping revealed a close molecular homology of the B. melitensis isolates with an isolate from Israel and a close homology of the B. abortus isolates with an isolate from Uganda indicating that these genotypes have a wide geographic distribution. Infection of cattle with B. melitensis may co...

Molecular typing of Brucella species isolates from livestock and human

Tropical Animal Health and Production — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 05:48:10 +0100

In this study, Bruce ladder PCR and abortus–melitensis–ovis–suis (AMOS) PCR assays were used to characterize 47 Brucella isolates from Indian origin in order to know exact species for understanding epidemiology of brucellosis. Out of them, 28, 14, and 5 isolates were found to be Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis, and Brucella suis, respectively. Further analysis by AMOS PCR has identified that all the B. abortus isolates belong to any one of the biovar 1, 2, or 4; of the five B. suis isolates, three belong to biovar 1 and two belong to any one of the biovar 2, 3, 4, or 5. Although this multiplex Bruce ladder PCR is useful in differentiating all Brucella species, elaborate study is required to further characterize the isolates at exact biovar level. Content Type Journal Art...

Survey of brucellosis at the wildlife–livestock interface on the Zimbabwean side of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area

Tropical Animal Health and Production — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 06:04:04 +0100

Abstract A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of bovine brucellosis in communal cattle and wildlife at a wildlife–livestock interface in the southeast lowveld of Zimbabwe, part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area. RBT and c-Elisa were used in serial for detection of antibodies against Brucella spp. Between July 2007 and October 2009, a total of 1,158 cattle were tested and the overall seroprevalence of brucellosis was 9.9%. A total of 97 wild animals (African buffaloes (n = 47), impala (n = 33), kudu (n = 16), and giraffe (n = 1)) were tested and only one animal (giraffe) was seropositive for brucellosis (1.03%). Brucella seroprevalence showed an increasing trend with age, with adult cattle (>6 years)...

Enhancing the role of veterinary vaccines reducing zoonotic diseases of humans: Linking systems biology with vaccine development.

Vaccine — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Adams LG, Khare S, Lawhon SD, Rossetti CA, Lewin HA, Lipton MS, Turse JE, Wylie DC, Bai Y, Drake KL The aim of research on infectious diseases is their prevention, and brucellosis and salmonellosis as such are classic examples of worldwide zoonoses for application of a systems biology approach for enhanced rational vaccine development. When used optimally, vaccines prevent disease manifestations, reduce transmission of disease, decrease the need for pharmaceutical intervention, and improve the health and welfare of animals, as well as indirectly protecting against zoonotic diseases of people. Advances in the last decade or so using comprehensive systems biology approaches linking genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, and biotechnology with immunology, pathogenesis and vaccine ...

Physicochemical and biological aspects of macrophage‐mediated drug targeting in anti‐microbial therapy

Fundamental and Clinical Pharmacology — Tue, 31 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

AbstractMacrophages are important drug targets as they mediate a wide variety of infectious diseases. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), schistosomiasis, brucellosis, and salmonellosis are some of the well‐known infectious diseases in which macrophages play a prominent pathophysiological role. For instance, VL parasites exclusively house in the macrophages of liver and spleen. They are resistant to lysosomal degradation by unknown mechanisms, they survive and thrive safely within macrophages, they multiply, and they ultimately affect visceral organs, leading to severe pathological and sometimes even fatal conditions. The majority of routinely used drugs administered in free form distribute all over the body via systemic circulation, leading to relatively low therapeutic activity and a certain ...

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A live vaccine from Brucella abortus strain 82 for control of cattle brucellosis in the Russian Federation.

Animal Health Research Reviews — Tue, 31 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Ivanov AV, Salmakov KM, Olsen SC, Plumb GE During the first half of the twentieth century, widespread regulatory efforts to control cattle brucellosis due to Brucella abortus in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics were essentially non-existent, and control was limited to selective test and slaughter of serologic agglutination reactors. By the 1950s, 2-3 million cattle were being vaccinated annually with the strain 19 vaccine, but because this vaccine induced strong, long-term titers on agglutination tests that interfered with identification of cattle infected with field strains of B. abortus, its use in cattle was discontinued in 1970. Soviet scientists then began a comprehensive program of research to identify vaccines with high immunogenicity, weak responses on agglutina...

Chlorine Dioxide Inactivation of Bacterial Threat Agents

Letters in Applied Microbiology — Sun, 29 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Typical ClO2 doses used in water treatment facilities would be effective against all bacteria tested except B. anthracis spores which would require up to 7 h with the largest allowable dose of 2 mg l−1 ClO2. Other water treatment processes may be required in addition to ClO2 disinfection for effective spore removal or inactivation.Significance and Impact of Study: The data obtained from this study provides valuable information for water treatment facilities and public health officials in the event that a potable water supply is contaminated with these BT agents. (Source: Letters in Applied Microbiology)

A Case of Brucellosis Presenting with Multiple Hypodense Splenic Lesions and Bilateral Pleural Effusions

Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology — Wed, 25 May 2011 16:45:20 +0100

Brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease, which mainly present with lymphoreticular system invovement. However any organ system can be attacked by the microorganism. In this paper we present a 52-year-old female patient who was admitted to the Infectious Diseases Department with complaints of fatigue, arthralgias, fever, and weight loss. In the medical examination and radiological analysis bilateral pleural effusions and hepatosplenomegaly were detected. Serum transaminase levels were two times higher than the upper limits of normal. Abdominal ultrasound revealed sludge in the gallbladder and multiple hypodense splenic lesions (the largest was 1 cm in diameter). Brucella melitensis was isolated from the blood culture of the patient. Rifampicin (600 mg/day) and doxycycline...

Making Contact: Rooting Out the Potential for Exposure of Commercial Production Swine Facilities to Feral Swine in North Carolina

EcoHealth — Fri, 20 May 2011 05:58:56 +0100

Abstract Despite North Carolina’s long history with feral swine, populations were low or absent in eastern counties until the 1990s. Feral swine populations have since grown in these counties which also contain a high density of commercial production swine (CPS) facilities. Sixteen of the highest swine producing U.S. counties also populated with feral swine are in North Carolina. Disconcertingly, since 2009, positive tests for exposure to swine brucellosis or pseudorabies virus have been found for feral swine. We surveyed 120 CSP facilities across four eastern counties to document the level and perception of feral swine activity around CSP facilities and to identify disease transmission potential to commercial stock. Nearly all facility operators (97%) recognized feral s...

Brucella spp. infection in large ruminants in an endemic area of Egypt: cross-sectional study investigating seroprevalence, risk factors and livestock owners' knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs).

BMC Public Health - Latest articles — Wed, 18 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Brucellosis was endemic at high levels, in the current study. Although livestock owners had good general knowledge of brucellosis, they still appeared to participate in high-risk behaviours, which may contribute to the high seroprevalence in the area. Veterinarians, public health authorities and other community leaders need to collaborate to control the disease in animals and to manage the risk of human exposure. (Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles)

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Application of broad-range resequencing array RPM-TEI for detection of pathogens in desert dust samples from Kuwait and Iraq.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Thu, 12 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

In this study, we applied highly multiplexed PCR and a high-density resequencing microarray (RPM-TEI 1.0) to screen samples of fine topsoil particles and airborne dust collected in 19 locations in Iraq and Kuwait for the presence of a broad range of human pathogens. The results indicated the presence of potential human pathogens, including Mycobacterium, Brucella, Coxiella burnetii, Clostridium perfringens and Bacillus. The presence of Coxiella burnetii, a highly infectious potential biowarfare agent, was confirmed and detected in additional samples using a more sensitive technique (real-time PCR) indicating a high prevalence of this organism in the analyzed samples. The detection of potentially viable pathogens in breathable dusts from arid regions of Iraq and Kuwait underscores the impor...

Co-immunization with interlukin-18 enhances the protective efficacy of liposomes encapsulated recombinant Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase protein against Brucella abortus.

Vaccine — Mon, 09 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Singha H, Mallick AI, Jana C, Fatima N, Owais M, Chaudhuri P Brucellosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease caused by Brucella abortus and a number of closely related species. Brucellosis has severe impact on the health and economic prosperity of the developing countries due to the persistent nature of infection and unavailability of effective control measures. The Cu-Zn superoxide dismuatse (SOD) protein of Brucella have been extensively studied as a major antigen involved in bacterial evading mechanism of host defence. Being a critical pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-18 (IL-18) plays key role in induction of immune mediated protection against intracellular pathogens. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the immunogenic potential of fusogenic liposomes (escherioso...

YqiC of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is a membrane fusogenic protein required for mice colonization.

BMC Microbiology - Latest articles — Sun, 08 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion. This work firstly demonstrates the importance of a COG2960 member for pathogen-host interaction, and suggests a common function conserved among members of this group. (Source: BMC Microbiology - Latest articles)

Single-dose-dexketoprofen-induced acute kidney injury due to massive rhabdomyolysis

International Urology and Nephrology — Fri, 06 May 2011 16:17:10 +0100

In conclusion, dexketoprofen may be a potential risk factor for acute kidney injury and rhabdomyolysis. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-3DOI 10.1007/s11255-011-9982-1Authors Tansu Sav, Department of Nephrology, Kayseri Education and Research Hospital, Kayseri, TurkeyAydin Unal, Department of Nephrology, Kayseri Education and Research Hospital, Kayseri, TurkeyAbdulsamet Erden, Department of Internal Medicine, Kayseri Education and Research Hospital, Kayseri, TurkeyAli Ihsan Gunal, Department of Nephrology, Kayseri Education and Research Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey Journal International Urology and NephrologyOnline ISSN 1573-2584Print ISSN 0301-1623 (Source: International Urology and Nephrology)

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in a Case of Brucellosis

Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis — Wed, 04 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

In this report, we present TTP in a case of brucellosis because of rare presentation. A 7-year-old girl was admitted with the complaints of headache, fever, hematuria, malaise, jaundice, epistaxis, and purpura. Her physical examination revealed conjunctival pallor, scleral icterus, petechial-purpuric skin lesions on both legs, and confusion. Laboratory tests showed hematocrit 14%; hemoglobin 4.8 g/dL; platelet count 6000/mm3, and reticulocytosis 6%. Peripheral blood smear revealed fragmented red blood cells and a complete absence of platelets. The clinical and laboratory findings were consistent with TTP. Serum antibrucella titration agglutination test was found to be 1/1280 positive. (Source: Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis)

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Intracellular bacteria and adverse pregnancy outcomes

Clinical Microbiology and Infection — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100

AbstractThis review considers the role of intracellular bacteria in adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as miscarriage, stillbirths and preterm labour. The cause of miscarriage, stillbirth and preterm labour often remains unexplained. Intracellular bacteria that grow either poorly or not at all on media used routinely to detect human pathogens could be the aetiological agents of these obstetrical conditions. For example, Listeria monocytogenes and Coxiella burnetti are intracellular bacteria that have a predilection for the feto‐maternal unit and may induce fatal disease in the mother and/or foetus. Both are important foodborne or zoonotic pathogens in pregnancy. Preventive measures, diagnosis tools and treatment will be reviewed. Moreover, we will also address the importance in adverse pre...

A Comparative Study of Immune Status to Infectious Agents in Elderly with Multiple Myeloma, Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia, and Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Karlsson J, Andreasson B, Kondori N, Erman E, Riesbeck K, Hogevik H, Wennerås C Whereas patients with multiple myeloma (MM) have a well-documented susceptibility to infections, this has been less studied in other B-cell disorders such as Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM) and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). We investigated the humoral immunity to 24 different pathogens in elderly patients with MM (n=25), WM (n=16), MGUS (n=18) and age-matched controls (n=20). Antibody titers against pneumococci, staphylococcal alphatoxin, tetanus and diphtheria toxoids, varicella, mumps and rubella viruses were most depressed in MM patients, next-to-lowest in WM and MGUS patients, and highest in the controls. In contrast, antibodies specific for staphylococcal tei...

Brucellosis in domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) of Trinidad and Tobago with comparative epidemiology to cattle

Tropical Animal Health and Production — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 15:48:55 +0100

Abstract The water buffalo is an important domestic animal worldwide, and the local Buffalypso variety was developed in Trinidad to have improved beef qualities. Brucellosis was diagnosed in Trinidad and Tobago during 1998 in both cattle and domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) populations. Brucellosis in the latter species is caused by infection with Brucella abortus, similar to bovine brucellosis. Control of brucellosis is of paramount importance to preservation of the genetic diversity of these animals in Trinidad, and this has been complicated by differences in the epidemiology of water buffalo and bovine brucellosis. Some diagnostic tests do not have comparable accuracy between the two species, and the RB51 vaccine does not adequately protect against infection in w...

Unusual Cardiovascular Complications of Brucellosis

Medscape Today Headlines — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 11:40:54 +0100

Brucellosis usually presents with generalized symptoms and can be difficult to diagnose, but occasionally cardiovascular complications are evident. How did it present in these two patients? Journal of Medical Case Reports (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Cattle brucellosis in traditional livestock husbandry practice in Southern and Eastern Ethiopia, and its zoonotic implication

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrated that bovine brucellosis is widely prevalent in the study areas particularly in pastoral production system. Hence, the study suggests the need for implementing control measures and raising public awareness on prevention methods of brucellosis. (Source: Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica)

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Behavioural trait covaries with immune responsiveness in a wild passerine.

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Sild E, Sepp T, Hõrak P Immune system is highly integrated with the nervous and endocrine systems, which is thought to result in covariation between behavioural syndromes and stress- and immune-associated diseases. Very little is known about the associations between behaviour and immune traits in wild animals. Here we describe such an association in passerine birds, the greenfinches (Carduelis chloris). When wild-caught greenfinches are brought into captivity, some individuals damage their tail feathers against cage walls due to excited behaviour, while others retain their feathers in intact condition. We show that damage to tail feathers was associated with flapping flight movements and the frequency of such flapping bouts was individually consistent over 57days. Birds with ...

Bilateral Pulmonary Nodules Due to Brucellosis.

Archivos de Bronconeumologia — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Sevilla López S, Quero Valenzuela F, Piedra Fernández I PMID: 21470756 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Archivos de Bronconeumologia)

A case of brucellar monoarthritis and review of the literature

Rheumatology International — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 05:42:08 +0100

We report a case of brucellar (septic) monoarthritis of the knee in a 74-year-old cattleman and review of the literature. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-4DOI 10.1007/s00296-011-1917-8Authors Ethem Turgay Cerit, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, 06 590 Sihhiye/Ankara, TurkeyMurat Aydın, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, TurkeyAlpay Azap, Department of Clinical Bacteriology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey Journal Rheumatology InternationalOnline ISSN 1437-160XPrint ISSN 0172-8172 (Source: Rheumatology International)

Identification of a Brucella spp. Secreted Effector Specifically Interacting with Human Small GTPase Rab2

Cellular Microbiology — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100

AbstractBacteria of the Brucella genus are facultative intracellular class III pathogens. These bacteria are able to control the intracellular trafficking of their vacuole, presumably by the use of yet unknown translocated effectors. To identify such effectors, we used a high‐throughput yeast two‐hybrid screen to identify interactions between putative human phagosomal proteins and predicted Brucella spp. proteins. We identified a specific interaction between the human small GTPase Rab2 and a Brucella spp. protein named RicA. This interaction was confirmed by GST‐pulldown with the GDP‐bound form of Rab2. A TEM‐β‐lactamase‐RicA fusion was translocated from B. abortus to RAW264.7 macrophages during infection. This translocation was not detectable in a strain deleted for the vir...

A Case of Brain Abscess Caused by Propionibacterium acnes 13 Months after Neurosurgery and Confirmed by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing.

The Korean Journal of Laboratory Medicine — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Chung S, Kim JS, Seo SW, Ra EK, Joo SI, Kim SY, Park SS, Kim EC Propionibacterium acnes is a gram-positive anaerobic bacillus and a normal inhabitant of the skin. Although it is often considered a contaminant of blood cultures, it can occasionally cause serious infections, including postoperative central nervous system infections. Here, we report the case of a 70-yr-old man who developed a large cerebral abscess caused by P. acnes 13 months after neurosurgery. Immediate gram staining of the pus from his brain revealed the presence of gram-positive coccobacilli. However, colony growth was observed only after 5 days of culture. Therefore, we performed 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the pus specimen. The isolate was identified as P. acnes. The colonies developed 9 days after the ini...

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Isolation of Brucella melitensis from a RB51-vaccinated seronegative goat

Tropical Animal Health and Production — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:39:35 +0100

Abstract The purpose of this study is to determine the etiology of abortions presented in a goat herd declared as free of brucellosis and vaccinated with RB51 located in Mexico. The serological diagnosis of brucellosis in 33 animals was performed. The study included three goats that aborted in the last third of gestation and 15 goats that gave birth normally; samples of milk and vaginal exudate were subjected to bacteriological study. All animals were negative for serological diagnosis, and isolation of Brucella melitensis was achieved in a single goat from vaginal exudate. However, the particularity is that this goat was negative to the card, indirect ELISA, and radial immunodiffusion tests. Isolation of a field strain was confirmed by biochemical test resistance to rifam...

Role of NKG2D and its ligands in the anti‐infectious activity of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells against intracellular bacteria

European Journal of Immunology — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100

In this study, we have investigated a potential role of NKG2D and its ligands in the anti‐infectious activity of human Vγ9Vδ2 T cells against Brucella suis. We show that the recruitment of NKG2D by its ligands is sufficient to induce cytokine production and the release of lytic granules through PI3K‐dependent pathways, but also can increase the TCR‐triggered responses of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells. We also demonstrate that the interaction between NKG2D and its main ligand expressed on Brucella‐infected macrophages, ULBP1, is involved in the inhibition of bacterium development. Altogether, these results suggest a direct contribution of NKG2D and its ligands to the anti‐infectious activity of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells. (Source: European Journal of Immunology)

Design of Web-Based Fuzzy Input Expert System for the Analysis of Serology Laboratory Tests

Journal of Medical Systems — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 07:02:21 +0100

In this study, it is aimed, using the Web-based Expert System with Fuzzy Input (WESFI), to convert the patients’ (users’) Serology Laboratory Tests (SLT) results to linguistic statements (low, normal, high) and analyzing those, give a feedback to the user (patient) of the potential signs of disease. The feedbacks given to the patients are the existing interpretations in the database, which were prepared by doctors before. Furthermore, the SLT terms (Brucella Coombs, Ama, P-Protein etc.) are explained in a way that the user can understand. The WESFI is published with an interface on the web environment. In order to determine the rate of the success of the WESFI, users evaluated the system answering the “How do you find the evaluation?” question. The question has been answered b...

Improvement in the diagnosis of Brucella abortus infections in naturally infected water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) using an ELISA with a Protein-G-based indicator system

Tropical Animal Health and Production — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 05:46:23 +0100

Abstract Brucellosis caused by Brucella abortus in domestic water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) raised under the traditional system of husbandry in northern India was diagnosed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) with a Protein-G-based indicator system (Protein-G ELISA). A total of 1,551 animals that are positive (N = 61), negative (N = 243), and suspected (N = 1,247) for brucellosis were examined. Rose bengal test (RBT) was used to predict the disease, and accordingly, animals were dichotomized in positive and negative population for receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to determine the sensitivity, the specificity, and the performance index of Protein-G ELISA. Taking all animals (N=1551) into account, the ROC curve analysis revealed cut off v...