Contribution in an anthology

Appeared in: Bergey's Manual of Systematics of Archaea and Bacteria

Editor list: Whitman, WB

Publication year: 2018

eISBN: 978-1-118-96060-8

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118960608.gbm00807.pub2

Abstract: 

Bru.cel'la. L. dim. ending -ella; N.L. fem. n. Brucella named after Sir David Bruce, who first recognized the organism causing undulant (Malta) fever.

Proteobacteria / Alphaproteobacteria / Rhizobiales / Brucellaceae / Brucella

Brucella represents an expanding genus of potentially zoonotic pathogens originally associated predominantly with terrestrial livestock and companion animals but, in recent years, new species have been described particularly from the marine environment and wildlife sources. Highly genetically conserved. Most closely related to Ochrobactrum. Some newer species have been described as “atypical” based on phenotypes or genotypes that diverge from classically described species. Many species are facultatively intracellular pathogens of animals and/or humans with species and some biovars showing distinct host tropisms. Mostly isolated from clinical specimens or contaminated food products with many clinical strains requiring complex growth media and supplementary CO₂ for growth, especially on primary isolation. Colonies on serum-dextrose agar or other clear media are transparent, raised, convex, with an entire edge and a smooth, shiny surface appearing in a pale honey color under transmitted light. Atypical species may present as mucoid spreading colonies. Growth of many species is improved by serum or blood. Optimal temperature for growth 37°C. Optimal pH for growth 6.6–7.4. Catalase and urease positive. Oxidase variable. Gram negative non-motile cocci, coccobacilli or short rods. No capsule produced. Aerobic, possessing a respiratory type of metabolism and having a cytochrome-based electron transport system with oxygen or nitrate as the terminal electron acceptor. Chemoorganotrophic. The genome typically comprises two circular chromosomes.

DNA G + C content (mol%): 57.1–59.

Type species: Brucella melitensis (Hughes 1893) Meyer and Shaw 1920, 179^AL (Streptococcus melitensis Hughes 1893, 235).

Harvard Citation style: Scholz, H., Banai, M., Cloeckaert, A., Kämpfer, P. and Whatmore, A. (2018) Brucella, in Whitman, W. (ed.) Bergey's Manual of Systematics of Archaea and Bacteria. Chichester: Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118960608.gbm00807.pub2

APA Citation style: Scholz, H., Banai, M., Cloeckaert, A., Kämpfer, P., & Whatmore, A. (2018). Brucella. In Whitman, W. (Ed.), Bergey's Manual of Systematics of Archaea and Bacteria. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118960608.gbm00807.pub2