RESUMO
Bacteria of the genus Brucella are facultative intracellular parasites that cause brucellosis, a severe animal and human disease. Recently, a group of taxonomists merged the brucellae with the primarily free-living, phylogenetically related Ochrobactrum spp. in the genus Brucella. This change, founded only on global genomic analysis and the fortuitous isolation of some opportunistic Ochrobactrum spp. from medically compromised patients, has been automatically included in culture collections and databases. We argue that clinical and environmental microbiologists should not accept this nomenclature, and we advise against its use because (i) it was presented without in-depth phylogenetic analyses and did not consider alternative taxonomic solutions; (ii) it was launched without the input of experts in brucellosis or Ochrobactrum; (iii) it applies a non-consensus genus concept that disregards taxonomically relevant differences in structure, physiology, population structure, core-pangenome assemblies, genome structure, genomic traits, clinical features, treatment, prevention, diagnosis, genus description rules, and, above all, pathogenicity; and (iv) placing these two bacterial groups in the same genus creates risks for veterinarians, medical doctors, clinical laboratories, health authorities, and legislators who deal with brucellosis, a disease that is particularly relevant in low- and middle-income countries. Based on all this information, we urge microbiologists, bacterial collections, genomic databases, journals, and public health boards to keep the Brucella and Ochrobactrum genera separate to avoid further bewilderment and harm.
Assuntos
Brucella , Ochrobactrum , Ochrobactrum/classificação , Ochrobactrum/genética , Ochrobactrum/patogenicidade , Ochrobactrum/fisiologia , Brucella/classificação , Brucella/genética , Brucella/patogenicidade , Brucella/fisiologia , Terminologia como Assunto , Filogenia , Brucelose/tratamento farmacológico , Brucelose/microbiologia , Humanos , Infecções Oportunistas/microbiologiaRESUMO
A 29-year-old Brazilian illegal gold miner developed intermittent fever. Blood cultures were positive for Gram-negative coccobacilli and, after an initial misidentification by an automated identification system, the diagnosis of brucellosis caused by Brucella suis was confirmed. We hypothesize an association with domestic or wild swine exposure. The patient responded well to standard antibiotic therapy of brucellosis. We report the first case of human brucellosis on the Guiana Shield. This report underlines the importance of considering brucellosis in the presence of a fever of unknown origin, even in the Amazonian rainforest area, where several zoonotic diseases might be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained fever.
Assuntos
Brucella suis , Brucelose , Doenças dos Suínos , Animais , Suínos , Humanos , Adulto , Brasil , Guiana Francesa , Brucelose/diagnóstico , Brucelose/tratamento farmacológico , Zoonoses/diagnóstico , Sus scrofa , FebreRESUMO
Human brucellosis is a zoonoses caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. Infection results in subacute or chronic debilitating disease with nonspecific clinical manifestations and is often associated with consuming unpasteurized dairy products. We report 2 cases of brucellosis in male patients who were hospitalized in distinct towns of French Guiana, an overseas territory of France located on the northeastern shore of South America. Both men were citizens of Brazil working as clandestine goldminers in the deep Amazonian rainforest. Characterization of the 2 bacterial isolates revealed that they represent a potential new species of Brucella. Medical practitioners working in contact with wildlife in this region of the world should be aware of the existence of these pathogens and the potential for human infection.