Brucellosis

Question 1

brucella spp.
gram - or +
shape
aerobic or anaerobic
intracellular?
capnophilic?
zoonotic?
spore or non-spore forming?

Answer 1

gram - coccobacilli
aerobic
intracellular
capnophilic
zoonotic
non-spore forming

Question 2

B. abortus
S or R Brucella
virulence factors
species
clinical signs

Answer 2

S
LPS, O antigen, core polysaccharide, T4SS
cattle, bison (natural host) & horses, humans (accidental hosts)
Bang Disease in cattle
Fistulous Withers & Poll Evil in horses
undulant/malta fever in humans

Question 3

which Brucella spp. is reportable?

Answer 3

B. abortus
B. canis in some states

Question 4

B. melitensis
S or R Brucella
virulence factors
species
clinical signs

Answer 4

S
LPS, O antigen, core polysaccharide, T4SS
goats, sheep
abortion

Question 5

B. suis
S or R Brucella
virulence factors
species
clinical signs

Answer 5

S
LPS, O antigen, core polysaccharide, T4SS
pigs
abortion

Question 6

B. ovis
S or R Brucella
virulence factors
species
clinical signs

Answer 6

R
LPS, O antigen, core polysaccharide, T4SS
sheep
sheep epididymitis, sporadic abortion

Question 7

B. canis
S or R Brucella
virulence factors
species
clinical signs

Answer 7

R
LPS, O antigen, core polysaccharide, T4SS
dogs
dog epididymis, infertility, diskospondylitis, febrile, orchitis, abortion, lymphadenopathy, uveitis

Question 8

Brucella spp. pathogenesis
______ preference
tropism for ______
secretion system?
favors _______

Answer 8

strong host preference
tropism for lymphatic tissue and reticuloendothelial cells (DC, macrophages, etc.)
zipper mechanism
T4SS
favors erythritol (high concentration in reproductive organs)

Question 9

what bacteria causes “Bang’s Disease” in cattle/bison

Answer 9

B. abortus

Question 10

what bacteria causes “fistulous withers” or “supraspinous bursitis” in horses

Answer 10

B. abortus

Question 11

what bacteria causes “poll evil” “brucellosis” or “septic arthritis of atlanto-occiptal joint” in horses

Answer 11

B. abortus

Question 12

what bacteria causes “undulant/malta fever” in humans

Answer 12

B. abortus

Question 13

diagnostic tests for B. abortus

Answer 13

regulatory testing, notifiable
brucella acidified plate antigen (BAPA)
fluorescence polarization assay (FPA)
complement fixation test (CF)
culture or PCR

Question 14

what test is used for the surveillance of B. abortus

Answer 14

CARD

Question 15

if B. abortus tests are not negative what are they termed?

Answer 15

“reactors” instead of positives

Question 16

treatments for B. abortus

Answer 16

none because cannot assure negativity, drugs are expensive and illegal
herd depopulation

Question 17

what are the preventative measures of B. abortus

Answer 17

ongoing surveillance at slaughter plant associated labs
vaccinate female cattle
surveillance in greater yellowstone area
interstate transport, change of ownership

Question 18

diagnostic test for B. canis

what test is most specific?

Answer 18

serological testing (RSAT, TAT, IFA, luminex instrument)
AGID
blood culture (most specific)

Question 19

what should agglutination tests like RSAT and TAT use? why?

Answer 19

2-mercaptoethanol

abolish the effect of nonspecific IgM or distinguish early immune response

Question 20

treatment for B. canis

Answer 20

spay/neuter
dual abx = doxy or enrofloxacin + aminoglycoside
can never be sure non-carrier

Question 21

what vaccine is used against B. abortus

Answer 21

modified live vx

RB51 vx - R mutant, no test interference bc rapidly cleared from body

strain 19 vx used to be used, S strain, interveres with testing