Real-time detection of Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis and Brucella suis.

Real-time PCR-based assays specific for Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis and Brucella suis were developed. The assays utilize an upstream primer that is derived from 3' end of the genetic element IS 711, whereas the downstream primers and probes are designed from signature sequences specific to a species or a biovar. The PCR reactions were monitored for fluorescence resonance energy transfer by including two adjacent labeled probes that hybridize to the amplicons as they are formed. The upstream probes were labeled with fluorescein at 3' end while Cy5 was attached to the 5' end of the downstream probes. An increase in the ratio of fluorescein to Cy5 fluorescence during the cycling was indicative of positive amplification event. The assays were accomplished in less than 30 min using a LightCycler in real-time mode. The assays were tested on known strains as well as field isolates and were found to be specific for all known biovars of B. abortus, B. melitensis and biovar 1 of B. suis. Therefore, specificity, sensitivity, speed and real-time detection make these assays attractive for use in epidemiological and ecological studies.

Characterization of the three ribosomal RNA operons rrnA, rrnB, and rrnC, from Brucella melitensis.

The three Brucella melitensis ribosomal RNA operons rrnA, rrnB, and rrnC were characterized individually. Each locus consisted of the 16S rRNA gene (rrs), followed by an intergenic spacer containing the tRNA-Ile and tRNA-Ala genes, the 23S rRNA gene (rrl), an intergenic spacer devoid of tRNA genes, the 5S rRNA gene (rrf), and an f-Met tRNA gene. The DNA sequences were identical over a 6271bp region, diverging 594bp upstream of rrs and immediately downstream of the f-Met tRNA gene. The previously uncharacterized 23S rRNA genes each contained a 178bp insertion 130bp from the 5' end. The location of the insertion matched intervening sequences (IVSs) found in other Rhizobiaceae. However, the size and sequence of the Brucella IVS differed from all previously reported IVS sequences from bacteria. The IVS region was PCR-amplified from 20 Brucella isolates representing all known Brucella species and biovars. All isolates contained only the complete IVS fragment. We compared the IVS DNA sequences of rrlC from representative strains of each of the six known Brucella species. The data revealed that the sequences were identical and differed from the B. melitensis IVS sequences by a single base pair. In other bacterial species, the IVSs are associated with post-transcriptional processing of the 23S rRNA by RNase III. We found that the Brucella 23S rRNA was slightly smaller than the 23S rRNA of Escherichia coli, known to be devoid of IVS sequences.

Validation of the abbreviated Brucella AMOS PCR as a rapid screening method for differentiation of Brucella abortus field strain isolates and the vaccine strains, 19 and RB51.

The Brucella AMOS PCR assay was previously developed to identify and differentiate specific Brucella species. In this study, an abbreviated Brucella AMOS PCR test was evaluated to determine its accuracy in differentiating Brucella abortus into three categories: field strains, vaccine strain 19 (S19), and vaccine strain RB51/parent strain 2308 (S2308). Two hundred thirty-one isolates were identified and tested by the conventional biochemical tests and Brucella AMOS PCR. This included 120 isolates identified as B. abortus S19, 9 identified as B. abortus strain RB51, 57 identified as B. abortus biovar 1, 15 identified as B. abortus bv. 2, 1 identified as B. abortus bv. 2 (M antigen dominant), 7 identified as B. abortus bv. 4, and 22 identified as B. abortus S2308 and isolated from experimentally infected cattle. The Brucella AMOS PCR correctly identified each isolate as RB51/S2308, S19, or a field strain of Brucella.

A multiplex approach to molecular detection of Brucella abortus and/or Mycobacterium bovis infection in cattle.

A multiplex amplification and detection platform for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium bovis and Brucella abortus infection simultaneously in bovine milk and nasal secretions was developed. This system (designated the bovine pathogen detection assay [BPDA]-PCR) consists of duplex amplification of species-specific targets (a region of the BCSP31K gene of B. abortus and a repeat-sequence region in the hsp65 gene of M. bovis, respectively). This is followed by a solid-phase probe capture hybridization of amplicons for detection. On the basis of spiking experiments with normal milk, the analytical sensitivity of the assay was 800 CFU equivalents/ml of milk for B. abortus and as low as 4 CFU equivalents per ml of milk for M. bovis. BPDA-PCR was validated with 45 liver samples from lemmings experimentally infected with B. abortus. The assay sensitivity, based on culture status as a "gold standard," was 93.9%. In this experiment, BPDA-PCR also identified five culture-negative liver samples as positive (41.7%). Field studies for the evaluation of BPDA-PCR were performed with samples from dairy animals from geographically distinct regions (India, Mexico, and Argentina). A high prevalence of shedding of B. abortus (samples from India) and M. bovis (samples from Mexico) was identified by BPDA-PCR. In samples from India, B. abortus shedding was identified in 86% of milk ring test-positive animals (n = 15) and 80% of milk ring test-negative cows (n = 5). In samples from Mexico, M. bovis was identified by PCR in 32.6% of pools (n = 46) of milk that each contained milk from 10 animals and in 56.2% of nasal swabs (n = 121) from cattle from tuberculin test-positive herds. In contrast, the Argentine cattle (n = 70) had a modest prevalence of M. bovis shedding in nasal swabs (2.9%) and milk (1.4%) and of B. abortus in milk (11.4%). On the basis of these analyses, we identify BPDA-PCR as an optimal tool for both screening of herds and testing of individual animals in a disease eradication program. A combination of the duplex assay, screening of milk samples in pools, and the proposed algorithm provides a highly sensitive, cost-effective, and economically viable alternative to serological testing.

Molecular characterization of Brucella strains isolated from marine mammals.

Recently, gram-negative bacteria isolated from a variety of marine mammals have been identified as Brucella species by conventional phenotypic analysis. This study found the 16S rRNA gene from one representative isolate was identical to the homologous sequences of Brucella abortus, B. melitensis, B. canis, and B. suis. IS711-based DNA fingerprinting of 23 isolates from marine mammals showed all the isolates differed from the classical Brucella species. In general, fingerprint patterns grouped by host species. The data suggest that the marine mammal isolates are distinct types of Brucella and not one of the classical species or biovars invading new host species. In keeping with historical precedent, the designation of several new Brucella species may be appropriate.

Differentiation of hard-to-type bacterial strains by RNA mismatch cleavage.

Many bacteria are difficult to subtype due to high genetic relatedness. In the cases of pathogens of medical or veterinary importance, subtyping is an essential tool of epidemiologists. This report describes a method for molecular subtyping based on the detection of point mutations without DNA sequencing or specialized equipment. The method, known as RNA mismatch cleavage, hybridizes RNA transcripts derived from PCR-amplified DNA, with a control RNA transcript followed by RNase cleavage at point-mutation mismatches. The method was successful in distinguishing all six Brucella species tested and was able to distinguish 11 of the 18 biovars studied. Of the remaining seven biovars (all of which are Brucella abortus strains), three subgroups were identified. The method should be applicable to all hard-to-subtype bacterial strains.

Responses of cattle to two dosages of Brucella abortus strain RB51: serology, clearance and efficacy.

A new brucellosis vaccine, Brucella abortus strain RB51 (SRB51), is currently recommended for use as a calfhood vaccine in the US at dosages between 1 x 10(10)and 3.4 x 10(10)colony-forming units (CFU). The purpose of the study reported here was to compare responses to minimal and maximal recommended SRB51 dosages. Eighteen heifer calves were vaccinated subcutaneously with 1.6 x 10(10)CFU of SRB51, 3.2 x 10(10)CFU of SRB51, or saline (n = 6 per treatment). The vaccine strain was recovered from the superficial cervical lymph node 14 weeks after vaccination in two of six animals that received 1.6 x 10(10)CFU SRB51, but not from any cattle vaccinated with 3.2 x 10(10)CFU SRB51. The higher SRB51 dosage stimulated greater antibody titres. Protection against abortion or infection following B. abortus strain 2308 (S2308) challenge was similar for both SRB51 dosages and greater than resistance of non-vaccinates. The vaccine strain was recovered from one heifer and her fetus at necropsy 1 week prior to estimated parturition. Data from this study suggests that SRB51 induces similar protective immunity across the recommended dosage range. The SRB51 vaccine may persist in some cattle into adulthood but the incidence and significance of this persistence remains unknown.

Use of commercially available hemoglobin standards to quantitatively calibrate a high performance liquid chromatography method.

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has proven to be an extremely useful analytical technique to separate and identify different types of hemoglobins, particularly A, C, F and S in blood samples, and compute their relative percentages. Such data provide useful information in the diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies including sickle cell anemia, beta-thalassemia, hemoglobin C disease,etc. In the present investigation, we have explored the determination of absolute concentrations of individual hemoglobins in g/dL and recommend it as an additional parameter which could be included as part of clinical data. Possible correlations between g/dL hemoglobin and the severity of a specific hemoglobinopathy could be established and aid in the diagnosis and/or treatment of such diseases. Several commercially available hemoglobin standards were analyzed and evaluated for use in creating g/dL calibration graphs for the HPLC. Appropriate calibration procedures have been developed and are presented. Also, linear regression graphs and sample chromatograms are included. Preliminary results obtained demonstrate the feasibility of using commercially available hemoglobin standards to calibrate an HPLC method for the estimation of absolute hemoglobin concentrations.

Enhancement of the Brucella AMOS PCR assay for differentiation of Brucella abortus vaccine strains S19 and RB51.

Because the brucellosis eradication program uses slaughter and quarantine as control measures, it would benefit from faster methods of bacterial identification. Distinguishing vaccine strains from strains that cause infections among vaccinated herds in the field is essential. To accomplish this, our PCR-based, species-specific assay (B. J. Bricker and S. M. Halling, J. Clin. Microbiol. 32:2660-2666, 1994) was updated to identify Brucella abortus vaccine strains S19 and RB51. Three new oligonucleotide primers were added to the five-primer multiplex Brucella AMOS PCR assay. Identification is based on the number and sizes of six products amplified by PCR.

Differentiation of Brucella abortus bv. 1, 2, and 4, Brucella melitensis, Brucella ovis, and Brucella suis bv. 1 by PCR.

Several PCR assays which identify the genus Brucella but do not discriminate among species have been reported. We describe a PCR assay that comprises five oligonucleotide primers which can identify selected biovars of four species of Brucella. Individual biovars within a species are not differentiated. The assay can identify three biovars (1, 2, and 4) of B. abortus, all three biovars of B. melitensis, biovar 1 of B. suis, and all B. ovis biovars. These biovars include all of the Brucella species typically isolated from cattle in the United States, a goal of the present research. The assay exploits the polymorphism arising from species-specific localization of the genetic element IS711 in the Brucella chromosome. Identity is determined by the size(s) of the product(s) amplified from primers hybridizing at various distances from the element. The performance of the assay with U.S. field isolates was highly effective. When 107 field isolates were screened by the described method, there was 100% agreement with the identifications made by conventional methods. Six closely related bacteria (Agrobacterium radiobacter, Agrobacterium rhizogenes, Ochrobactrum anthropi, Rhizobium leguminosarum, Rhizobium meliloti, and Rhodospirillum rubrum) and two control bacteria (Bordetella bronchiseptica and Escherichia coli) tested negative by the assay.

Characterization and occurrence of two repeated palindromic DNA elements of Brucella spp.: Bru-RS1 and Bru-RS2.

Two repeated DNA elements of 103 bp and 105 bp were discovered in brucellae and designated Bru-RS1 and Bru-RS2, respectively. The two elements are palindromic, are 65% similar in sequence, form two families of elements that are slightly divergent in sequence, appear to be intergenic, and are found, collectively, in more than 35 copies in brucellae. These elements are bounded by perfect or nearly perfect inverted repeats. A third copy of the terminal repeat is found within the elements and is the terminus for several truncated copies of the Bru-RS1 family. Hybridization patterns for the elements among brucellae were unique. The elements are dispersed, highly conserved among brucellae, and hot-spots for insertion by IS711.

Cuticular hydrocarbons ofAedes hendersoni cockerell andA. triseriatus (SAY).

Field-caught adult male and femaleAedes hendersoni are difficult to distinguish from the sibling speciesA. triseriatus. We found that mosquitoes from the same sex of the sibling species can not be readily separated either by unique cuticular hydrocarbon components or by differences in percent composition of those components. Multivariate analysis of the cuticular hydrocarbon data does not provide good separation. Cuticular hydrocarbons were identified using gas chromatography electron-impact mass spectrometry and gas chromatography chemical-ionization mass spectrometry. Flame-ionization capillary gas chromatography was used for quantitative analysis of individual mosquitoes. Sixty-four hydrocarbons with chain lengths from C16 to greater than C46 were common to both species. Identified hydrocarbon components weren-alkanes, monomethylalkanes, dimethylalkanes, trimethylalkanes, and alkenes.

Sequence and characterization of an insertion sequence, IS711, from Brucella ovis.

The nucleotide (nt) sequence of a previously discovered insertion in Brucella ovis was determined and found to have the hallmarks of an insertion sequence (IS). The element, designated IS711, of 842 bp, is similar in G + C content to that of the Brucella genome and is bounded by 20-bp imperfect inverted repeats (IR). The element appears to duplicate the nt TA of a consensus target site, YTAR (R, purines; Y, pyrimidines). When the complete nt sequence of four elements and 300 bp of the 3' ends of five other elements were compared to IS711 and to each other, minor nt sequence variations were found amongst most of them. Similar to several other transposable elements, IS711 has overlapping ORFs rather than one long ORF extending the length of the element. Even though only ten B. ovis IS711 elements were characterized, in three cases we found these elements flanked by either identical or similar nt sequences. This suggests that some target sites are hot spots for insertion and that some of the elements may be duplicated by mechanisms other than transposition. No DNA or protein database entries had an obvious resemblance to either IS711 or its deduced gene products.

Immunoglobulin G binding activity of Brucella abortus.

A Brucella abortus protein with a molecular weight of 50 kDa has been shown to bind bovine immunoglobulin G from healthy, brucellosis-free animals. The Brucella immunoglobulin G binding molecule appears to be a protein, since it is susceptible to proteolysis. The protein is presumed to be located on the cell surface, since intact cells precipitate bovine immunoglobulin G. Examination of other species of Brucella shows that all Brucella species and strains tested express the protein. B. abortus cells also bound immunoglobulin G from other animal species. These included cat, chicken, dog, guinea pig, horse, human, mouse, rat, sheep, swine, and turkey but not immunoglobulin G from goat or rabbit.

Immunogenicity of Brucella-extracted and recombinant protein vaccines in CD-1 and BALB/c mice.

A study was conducted to determine whether subcomponent proteins (previously identified as BCSP20, BCSP31, and BCSP45, and the corresponding recombinant proteins rBCSP20, rBCSP31, and rBCSP45) that were recovered from the cell surface of Brucella abortus strain 19 were immunogenic and protective for mice when compared with Brucella cell surface protein (BCSP) and with a proteinase K-treated lipopolysaccharide (PKLPS) extracted from B abortus strain 2308. Protection was evaluated after challenge exposure with a virulent culture of B abortus strain 2308, using CD-1 or BALB/c mice or both inoculated with vaccines of various combinations and concentrations, with and without PKLPS or BCSP. Protection was assessed by enumeration of splenic colony-forming units, reduced mean splenic weight relative to controls, and the relative serologic responses (immune response) in an ELISA. The general results indicate that BCSP, PKLPS, BCSP20, and BCSP31 are immunogenic or protective or both. Protectiveness was not observed for each of the recombinant proteins; however, results from the combined recombinant protein vaccine study suggest the immunogenicity of the recombinant proteins. The apparent immune-inducing properties of BCSP20 and BCSP31 are thought to be attributable to the presence of an immunogenic and protective BCSP fraction (possibly lipopolysaccharide) still associated. Serologic results support our conclusion that each of the recombinant protein vaccines did not induce a protective response comparable to that of BCSP or PKLPS, even when the subcomponents were combined. Although the results suggest that the subcomponents of BCSP apparently induced partial protection, they are thought to be only a part of the antigens contained in BCSP that influence the serologic response.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cloning, expression, and occurrence of the Brucella Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase.

Recently, the complete amino acid sequence of a protein expressed in Escherichia coli from cloned Brucella abortus DNA was reported. On the basis of amino acid homology, this protein was identified as a copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD) (B. L. Beck, L. B. Tabatabai, and J. E. Mayfield, Biochemistry 29:372-376, 1990). We demonstrate in this paper that the sequenced protein is the same as the previously studied salt-extractable protein BCSP20. The plasmid-encoded protein expressed from recombinant E. coli is identical to the Brucella-derived BCSP20 in molecular mass, N-terminal amino acid sequence, and cross-reactivity with homologous and heterologous rabbit sera against either the recombinant gene product or the Brucella-derived protein. A survey of the expression of the Cu-Zn SOD protein in Brucella biovars representing all species was done by Western blotting (immunoblotting) using antisera raised against the recombinant E. coli-derived protein. With the exception of B. neotomae and B. suis biovar 2, the Cu-Zn SOD protein was detectable in all Brucella species and biovars tested, including eight biovars of B. abortus.

Identification of a virulence factor for Brucella abortus infection in BALB/c mice.

Immunogenic or pathogenic factors of recombinant proteins (rBCSP20, rBCSP-31, and rBCSP45 of Brucella abortus strain 19) for mice were compared with factors of a proteinase K-treated lipopolysaccharide extracted from B abortus strain 2308. Mice were vaccinated with 4 products, using different inoculation schedules and were challenge exposed with a virulent culture of B abortus strain 2308. Blood samples were collected 2 weeks after vaccination and at necropsy and sera were obtained. Spleens were cultured for B abortus at necropsy (3 to 4 weeks after challenge exposure). Mice given proteinase K-treated lipopolysaccharide alone or in conjunction with rBCSP20 or rBCSP45 proteins were protected, but mice given rBCSP31 on the same day as challenge exposure were not. Vaccination with recombinant proteins alone neither provide protection nor significantly (P greater than 0.05) increase the pathogenic effect of the challenge-exposure culture. Seemingly, rBCSP31 might be a virulence factor of B abortus.

Conservation of antigenicity in a 31-kDa Brucella protein.

A 31-kilodalton (kDa) protein extracted from Brucella abortus was previously cloned into Escherichia coli and expressed at high levels. The E. coli-derived protein can be purified by a simple 2-step procedure entailing detergent extraction followed by ion-exchange chromatography. Subsequent analyses show that the E. coli-derived protein is identical to the Brucella-derived protein in molecular weight and isoelectric point. A partial amino acid sequence of the N-terminus of the protein of E. coli origin matches the predicted sequence, based on DNA sequence data. Using specific antiserum raised against the E. coli-derived protein, 34 strains of Brucella, representing all 6 recognized species, were examined for expression of the 31-kDa protein by Western blotting. This protein was detectable in all, but one Brucella species (B. ovis), including all 8 biovars of B. abortus tested. This degree of conservation supports further study of the 31-kDa protein for potential exploitation as a vaccine or diagnostic component.

The cloning, expression, and nucleotide sequence of a gene coding for an immunogenic Brucella abortus protein.

Brucella abortus is the causative agent for brucellosis in cattle and man. Development of a single diagnostic test for the differentiation of vaccinated from infected animals and the development of a nonviable 'subunit' vaccine are top priorities of the brucellosis research program in the United States. Preliminary evidence previously showed that a purified 31-kDa protein (thought to be localized at or near the bacterial cell surface) protects against experimental brucellosis in rodents. The gene for this 31-kDa protein has now been cloned in Escherichia coli. The protein is expressed well, apparently from its native promoter, when placed in several different E. coli plasmids. The nucleotide sequence of the flanking and encoding sequences has been determined, and comparison with the N-terminal amino acid (aa) sequence of the mature protein indicates the presence of a putative 28-aa signal sequence. The availability of the 31-kDa protein free of Brucella contaminants now allows rigorous study of the immunological properties of this protein.

Monoclonal antibodies to the glycoprotein of vesicular stomatitis virus (New Jersey serotype): a method for preliminary mapping of epitopes.

Of the nine antigenic determinants on the glycoprotein (G) of the New Jersey serotype of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) identified by competitive binding of 25 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), those relegated to epitopes I, II, III, and IV exhibited no significant ability to neutralize virus infectivity but some nonneutralizing MAbs cross-reacted by ELISA with the G protein of VSV-Indiana. High-titered neutralization of homotypic virus was exhibited by epitope V, VI, and VII MAbs but quite variable neutralizing activity was found among MAbs of epitope "family" VIII and particularly the heterogeneous epitope "family" IX. Peptide mapping of the epitopes was not feasible because most MAbs would not bind by Western blotting to G protein under standard conditions of proteolysis or disulfide bond reduction. Therefore, a technique was devised for roughly locating epitopes by protease footprinting of G protein partially protected by individual MAbs complexed with staphylococcal protein A-Sepharose beads. Under these conditions, MAbs to all nine epitopes protected a similar 12-kDa fragment of the G protein from proteolysis by Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease. N-Terminal amino acid sequencing mapped two of these 12-kDa peptide footprints to a position on the G protein extending from amino acid 219 to about 100 amino acids downstream. Although MAbs to only one epitope bound to the 12-kDa fragment by Western blotting, these data suggest, but do not prove, that all nine epitopes of the undenatured VSV-New Jersey G protein are clustered at the middle 20% of a highly structured protein. This method may help to identify the general regions for epitopes on complex proteins of as yet unknown three-dimensional structure.