Explore the vast range of titles available.

Hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) is also called hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Hemophagocytic syndrome caused by Brucella infection is a rare and life-threatening complication. We report a case of a 55-year-old female farmer from China, whose symptoms included fever, pancytopenia, and liver damage. Early on, we identified the phenomenon of hemophagocytosis through blood culture and bone marrow examination, thereby confirming the case. The pathogen was precisely identified as Brucella melitensis Biovar 3 using AMOS-PCR technology and a systematic evolutionary analysis of the IS711 sequence, which was highly homologous to a strain of badger isolated from the same area previously. This provided molecular evidence for the potential animal-to-human transmission chain from wild animals. The patient received combined treatment with anti-infective drugs (doxycycline and rifampicin), corticosteroids, and intravenous immunoglobulin, and then followed a stepwise dose reduction treatment plan. After discharge, we conducted personalized follow-up management for the patient. This case highlights the potentially fatal complications that brucellosis can cause — hemophagocytic syndrome — and it is particularly common among individuals in high-risk occupations. For patients with brucellosis accompanied by unexplained blood cell reduction and abnormal liver function, a bone marrow puncture examination should be conducted as soon as possible. In the subsequent treatment, a combined treatment plan of “antibiotic therapy plus immunomodulation” can be adopted. Furthermore, it highlights the emerging zoonotic threat posed by B. melitensis biovar 3 in endemic areas.

Brucellosis is an infectious and highly contagious zoonotic disease caused by species of the genus, and it holds significant economic and public health importance. This disease is endemic in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. Brucellosis primarily affects individuals who come into contact with animals or animal products, making it an occupational hazard. Various factors influence the prevalence of brucellosis; thus, seroprevalence studies are significant for diagnosis and determining control measures. This study aims to assess the prevalence of brucellosis in cattle in Bannu District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, using serological and molecular techniques. Altogether, 384 blood samples were collected from cattle and initially screened using the Rose Bengal plate test and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A structured research proforma was used to analyze the association between infection and various risk factors. All positive samples were tested for pathogens using AMOS polymerase chain reaction. The overall prevalence of brucellosis was 18.75% through the Rose Bengal plate test and 8% by indirect ELISA. AMOS polymerase chain reaction confirmed the presence of in four ELISA-positive animals. Statistical analysis using the chi-Square test revealed a significant association ( < 0.05) between brucellosis seroprevalence and risk factors such as grazing practices, breeding protocols, repeat breeding, and a history of abortion in cattle. Brucellosis in the study area raises serious concerns for animals and public health. The findings of this study will contribute to the development of effective prevention and control measures for the livestock population.

Background Brucellosis, an endemic zoonotic infection in Egypt, presents a significant public health concern. This study aimed to identify Brucella isolates from animal and human samples collected from six governorates using serological, bacteriological, and molecular methods. The susceptibility of the isolates to selected antibiotics was also evaluated. Results Serological testing revealed positive brucellosis in 86.8% of human and 4.7% animal sera. 54 suspected Brucella isolates were recovered from human and animal samples. Brucella melitensis was the predominant species followed by Brucella abortus , which were molecularly confirmed using ( bcsp31 ). The isolates harbored key virulence genes of Brucella ( bvfA , virB , and ure ) and the RNA polymerase- rpoB gene. The isolates expressed overall susceptibility to standard antibiotics used to treat brucellosis, while exhibiting resistance to ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, rifampicin, tetracycline, and linezolid. Conclusions Serological testing proved to be the most practical and rapid detection method for large-scale screening in developing countries, while molecular analysis identified Brucella melitensis to be the predominant species, with the presence of key virulence genes in some isolates. Traditionally prescribed antibiotics remain effective against brucellosis; however, special care should be taken due to the emergence of resistant isolates. Tigecycline and linezolid showed that they can serve as potential alternatives in combination treatments. This study provides a broader, more comprehensive multi-governorate perspective on brucellosis in Egypt offering insights for future surveillance.

In livestock, brucellosis is mainly an asymptomatic disease except when abortion occurs; therefore, two serological tests are used for diagnosis as no single test is suitable. Abattoir samples enable a combination of culture, molecular, and serological tests to detect brucellosis. This study assessed Brucella-specific PCR (ITS-PCR) to detect brucellosis and to conduct a molecular characterization of Brucella spp. isolated from PCR-positive livestock (n = 565) slaughtered at abattoirs and the appropriate sample tissue(s). ITS-PCR detected Brucella DNA in 33.6% of cattle, 14.5% of sheep, and 4.7% of pig tissues. Impure Brucella cultures from PCR-positive tissues were 43.6% (44/94) of cattle, 51.7% (15/29) of sheep, and 50% (2/4) of pigs with predominantly B. abortus identification with AMOS-PCR and low isolation of mixed B. abortus and B. melitensis in all species. In cattle, 33% of isolates were from lymph nodes, while in sheep 38.0% were from the liver and kidney and only from tonsils in pigs (2/4). Brucella infections identified with AMOS-PCR were present in seropositive and mainly seronegative (75.6–100%) livestock with the potential to cause brucellosis during pregnancy or breeding. This study demonstrated the value of the polyphasic approach, especially with chronic infections and the potential risk of these asymptomatic animals.

Brucellosis is a worldwide zoonosis that is endemic in Namibia. This study estimated seroprevalence of brucellosis, and determined the presence of Brucella infection in slaughtered cattle using the genus-specific 16-23S rRNA interspacer PCR (ITS-PCR), and the species-specific AMOS-PCR. Between December 2018 and May 2019, sera (n = 304), pooled lymph nodes (n = 304), and individual spleen (n = 304) were collected from slaughtered cattle from 52 farms. Sera were tested for anti-Brucella antibodies using the Rose Bengal test (RBT), and the complement fixation test (CFT). Seroprevalence was 2.3% (7/304) (RBT) and 1.6% (5/304) (CFT). Prevalence of positive herds was 9.6% (5/52). Lymph node (n = 200) and spleen (n = 200) samples from seronegative cattle tested negative for Brucella spp. DNA on ITS-PCR, but Brucella spp. DNA was detected in lymph nodes (85.7%, 6/7) and spleen (85.7%, 6/7) from RBT positive cattle. ITS-PCR confirmed isolates from lymph node (51.4%, 4/7) and spleen (85.7%, 6/7) as Brucella spp.; while AMOS-PCR and Brucella abortus species specific (BaSS) PCR confirmed the isolates as Brucella abortus, and field strains, respectively. Provision of adequate protective gear, and the promotion of brucellosis awareness among abattoir workers is recommended to prevent zoonotic infection.

Brucellosis remains an underreported zoonotic disease in Ecuador. Its control program in cattle integrates diagnostic testing, vaccination, and eradication incentives, although participation is largely voluntary. Since 2025, vaccination has become compulsory nationwide. Human surveillance remains largely passive, and strain-level data are very limited. This study applied an integrated approach, combining serology (Rose Bengal and SAT-EDTA), microbiological culture, and molecular diagnostics, to assess the presence and diversity of Brucella spp. in cattle and pigs from six slaughterhouses in the northern Andean highlands. A total of 2054 cattle and 1050 pigs from Carchi, Imbabura, and Pichincha were sampled. Among cattle, 133 (6.5%; 95% CI: 5.5–7.6) were seropositive, and viable B. abortus strains were isolated from 17 (12.8%). Genus identification was confirmed by IS711-PCR, while species- and biovar-level differentiation was achieved with AMOS-PCR; additional assays targeting the ery gene and RB51 marker were used to distinguish field from vaccine strains. Biotyping and molecular analysis revealed a predominance of B. abortus biovar 4 (13/17 isolates) over biovar 1, all confirmed as field strains. In pigs, 10 animals (0.95%) tested seropositive, but no isolates were recovered, highlighting limitations of serology in swine. Most livestock, including the positives, originated locally, reinforcing the representativeness of our findings. The successful isolation and molecular characterization of B. abortus demonstrates the value of combining diagnostic strategies beyond serology. These results underscore the utility of active surveillance when supported by traceability systems; this approach may also contribute to guide interventions to reduce infection risk in livestock and humans.

Introduction: Brucellosis  is one of the most important zoonotic diseases that affects  multiple livestock species and causes great economic losses. The highly conserved genomes of Brucella, with > 90% homology among species, makes it important to study the genetic diversity circulating in the country. Methodology: A total of 26 Brucella spp. (4 reference strains and 22 field isolates) and 1 B. melitensis draft genome sequence from India (B. melitensis Bm IND1) were included for sequence typing. The field isolates were identified by biochemical tests and confirmed by both conventional and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) targeting bcsp 31Brucella genus-specific marker. Brucella speciation and biotyping was done by Bruce ladder, probe qPCR, and AMOS PCRs, respectively, and genotyping was done by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Results: The MLST typing of 27 Brucella spp. revealed five distinct sequence types (STs); the B. abortus S99 reference strain and 21 B. abortus field isolates belonged to ST1. On the other hand, the vaccine strain B. abortus S19 was genotyped as ST5. Similarly, B. melitensis 16M reference strain and one B. melitensis field isolate were grouped into ST7. Another B. melitensis field isolate belonged to ST8 (draft genome sequence from India), and only B. suis 1330 reference strain was found to be ST14. Conclusion: The sequences revealed genetic similarity of the Indian strains to the global reference and field strains. The study highlights the usefulness of MLST for typing of field isolates and validation of reference strains used for diagnosis and vaccination against brucellosis.

Brucellosis is a widespread disease in Egypt which cause huge economic losses in the dairy industry. The present study aims at isolating and identifying Brucella (B.) spp. circulating in bovine and buffalo dairy herds kept at farmers houses in four districts of the Delta region of Egypt. One hundred and five tissue specimens were collected from seropositive cattle and buffaloes. The samples included 10 vaginal swabs, 3 placentas, 3 uteri and 86 supra-mammary lymph nodes from dams, as well as 3 stomach contents from aborted fetuses. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) and the conventional biotyping techniques were used for preliminary identification of isolates into the genus level. AMOS-PCR was applied to differentiate Brucella isolates into species level. Nineteen Brucella strains have been identified, four B. abortus strains were recovered from cattle and 15 B. melitensis strains were isolated from both cattle (n = 8) and buffaloes (n = 7). The predominant occurrence of B. melitensis in bovines raises the fact that B. melitensis clone can cross species barriers and can establish a permanent reservoir in cattle and buffaloes. Presence of culture-positive animals at householders represent a high-risk factor for human infection. This knowledge is of significant importance in the control of brucellosis in bovines.

Although host specificity has been observed in different species of Brucella , crossing the animal host boundary is likely to occur at any time. 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.

Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonosis caused by a species under the genus Brucella . A duplex recombinase polymerase amplification (Duplex RPA) assay for the specific detection of Brucella melitensis and Brucella abortus was developed in this study. Primers were designed targeting hypothetical protein genes and membrane transporter genes of B. melitensis and B. abortus , respectively. The newly developed assay was validated for its analytical sensitivity and specificity. Different samples were collected from the Qinghai, Inner Mongolia, and Xinjiang provinces. After DNA extraction, the samples were analyzed by Duplex RPA, real-time PCR, and multiplex AMOS PCR to estimate the prevalence of brucellosis in sheep and yak in West China. The analytical sensitivities of Duplex RPA were 9 × 10 2 plasmid copies of B. melitensis and 9 × 10 1 plasmid copies of B. abortus , but by mixing the reaction tubes after 4 min of incubation, the sensitivities were 4 × 10 0 and 5 × 10 0 copies of B. melitensis and B. abortus , respectively. There was no cross-reactivity with Brucella suis, Chlamydia abortus, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli , and Toxoplasma gondii . The screening of field samples by Duplex RPA revealed that the prevalence of B. melitensis in sheep and yak was 75.8% and the prevalence of B. abortus was 4.8%. Multiplex AMOS PCR showed that the prevalence of B. melitensis was 19.3%, and that of B. abortus was 4.8%. It was concluded that the developed Duplex RPA is sensitive and specific to the detection of and differentiation between B. melitensis and B. abortus which will be useful in epidemiological surveillance and in the clinical settings.