New Brucella variant isolated from Croatian cattle

Abstract

Background A novel Brucella strain closely related to Brucella (B.) melitensis biovar (bv) 3 was found in Croatian cattle during testing within a brucellosis eradication programme. Case presentation Standardised serological, brucellin skin test, bacteriological and molecular diagnostic screening for Brucella infection led to positive detection in one dairy cattle herd. Three isolates from that herd were identified to species level using the Bruce ladder method. Initially, two strains were typed as B. melitensis and one as B. abortus, but multiplex PCR based on IS711 and the Suis ladder showed that all of them to belong to B. melitensis, and the combination of whole-genome and multi-locus sequencing as well as Multi-Locus Variable numbers of tandem repeats Analysis (MLVA) highlighted a strong proximity within the phylogenetic branch of B. melitensis strains previously isolated from Croatia, Albania, Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Two isolates were determined to be B. melitensis bv. 3, while the third showed a unique phylogenetic profile, growth profile on dyes and bacteriophage typing results. This isolate contained the 609-bp omp31 sequence, but not the 723-bp omp31 sequence present in the two isolates of B. melitensis bv. 3. Conclusions Identification of a novel Brucella variant in this geographic region is predictable given the historic endemicity of brucellosis. The emergence of a new variant may reflect a combination of high prevalence among domestic ruminants and humans as well as weak eradication strategies. The zoonotic potential, reservoirs and transmission pathways of this and other Brucella variants should be explored.

Changes in Leukogram and Erythrogram Results in Bitches with Vaginitis

“…Eight healthy bitches (4 in proestrus/oestrus, 1 in diestrus and 3 in anestrus) and eight bitches with vaginitis (2 in proestrus and 6 in anestrus) were qualified for this study (mixed breeds, aged from 1 to 7 years). The qualification standards were set according to a protocol described by Golińska et al [ 2 ]. Briefly, qualification was based on a clinical and gynecological examination, which included vaginal cytology.…”

“…Vaginitis can occur in any age or breed, and in both intact and spayed bitches. The causes of vaginitis can be very diverse, and include bacterial infection, viral infection (e.g., herpes virus type I–HVC I), fungal infection (however, it is very rare), hyper- or hypoestrogenism, urinary tract infection or urinary incontinence, genital infections such as pyometra, metritis or uterine stump abscess, vaginal trauma, chemical irritation due to urovagina, mechanical irritation caused by foreign bodies or tumors, anatomic abnormalities of the genitourinary system and vaginal atrophy after being spayed [ 1 , 2 ]. We distinguish juvenile vaginitis from adult bitch vaginitis depending on age and sexual maturity.…”

“…Affected animals usually do not demonstrate systemic involvement, and immaturity of the reproductive and immune system are considered to be its causes [ 3 ]. Bacterial infection, which is the most common case of adult bitch vaginitis, is usually caused by the overgrowth of the normal microbiota of the vagina [ 2 ]. In our previous study, we reported that Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus pseudintermedius , Streptococcus canis , Enterococcus spp., and Mycoplasma spp.…”

“…In our previous study, we reported that Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus pseudintermedius , Streptococcus canis , Enterococcus spp., and Mycoplasma spp. are the most commonly isolated bacteria from both healthy and infected (vaginitis) bitches [ 2 ]. Other authors have also shown the presence of Proteus mirabilis and P. vulgaris , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Haemophilus, and Pasteurella haemolytica [ 1 ].…”

Novel Vertical Flow Immunoassay with Au@PtNPs for Rapid, Ultrasensitive, and On-Site Diagnosis of Human Brucellosis

“…Brucellosis is a serious and often neglected zoonosis caused by Brucella infection through contacting the contaminated animal and its products or air dusts . Livestock such as cattle, goats, sheep, camels, and pigs is the most common intermediate hosts of Brucellae , and humans, as the ultimate host, get sick through direct or indirect contact with infected animals or eating contaminated animal products . Around the world, 500,000 people are diagnosed with Brucella infection every year .…”