Abstract
Brucellosis is a major public health problem still prevalent as a neglected endemic zoonosis requiring proactive attention in many communities worldwide. The present study involved analysis of Brucella field strains submitted for typing to the Italian National Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis from 2007 to 2015. Strains were identified at the species and biovar levels by classic and molecular techniques according to the World Organisation for Animal Health Manual. In total, 5,784 strains were typed: 3,089 Brucella abortus (53.4%), 2,497 B. melitensis (43.2%), 10 B. ovis (0.2%), 181 B. suis (3.1%), and 7 B. ceti (0.1%). The 2,981 strains from cattle were typed as B. abortus biovars 1, 3, and 6 (90.1%) and B. melitensis biovar 3 (9.9%). The 318 strains from water buffalo were typed as B. abortus biovars 1, 3 (95.9%) and B. melitensis biovar 3 (4.1%). The 2,279 strains from sheep and goats were typed as B. abortus biovars 1 and 3 (4.3%); B. melitensis biovars 1, 3, (95.3%); and B. ovis (0.4%). The 173 strains from wild boar were typed as B. suis biovar 2 (98.3%) and B. melitensis biovar 3 (1.7%). The 11 strains from pigs were typed as B. suis biovar 2. The 13 strains from humans were typed as B. melitensis biovar 3. The two strains from horses were typed as B. abortus biovar 1, while the seven strains from dolphins were typed as B. ceti. This additional knowledge on the epidemiology of brucellosis in Italy may be useful to formulate policies and strategies for the control and eradication of the disease in animal populations. The animal species affected, biovars typed, geographical origins, and spatial distributions of isolates are herein analyzed and discussed.
Highlights
Brucellosis is an important zoonotic disease caused by infection with bacteria of the genus Brucella
The strains isolated from sheep and goats were mainly B. melitensis biovar 3
Infection was detected in 13 humans and was caused by B. melitensis biovar 3 in all cases
Summary
Brucellosis is an important zoonotic disease caused by infection with bacteria of the genus Brucella. The typical clinical sign of the infection in affected animals is the occurrence of abortion ( this depends on whether the infection is recent or has been chronically present) as well as low fertility and milk production. While the disease incidence and prevalence may vary widely among countries, brucellosis caused by B. melitensis is by far the most important clinically apparent disease in humans [9]. Human brucellosis is a systemic infectious disease with varying clinical manifestations. Brucella spp. meningitis can be acute or chronic It often occurs late in the disease course; it may be the presenting manifestation [12]. Their occurrence is rare, endocarditis and neurobrucellosis may be fatal
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